Freechecks for motorists
W
We are facing a sexual violence crisis, and we cannot be silent
A JOURNO’S VOICE
We are constantly reminded how much of a dark sick and crazy world we live in, particularly in South Africa
It has taken the global social media community a matter of days to do something that should have been done months ago by calling for #JusticeForCweCwe
For those unfamiliar with the case CweCwe is a seven-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and sodomised at her school in the Eastern Cape in October last year, with her parents battling to get some form of justice for her since
With calls using the hashtag on social media from countries like Jamaica, United States of America (USA), Canada, Germany and the likes, it has taken global attention to make this horrific incident trend
With yet another tragic reminder of South Africa’s deep-rooted crisis of sexual violence her case has also reminded us again about how unsafe women and children are in this country at the hands of men
Men took great offence to the "Men are trash" movement years ago, but the small sense of doubt about their safety is something most women have when in the presence of men We cannot trust men and we need to walk with some caution around them So, the perception that men are approaching us (women and children) with ill-intention is engrained The saddest part is that the most recent cases, including the father who had allegedly raped his infant because "he wanted to give her something to cry about" is another reminder that even those meant to protect us can be the very ones we need to
watch out
Despite immediate reporting by her mother, who is a police officer, there has been little to no progress in the investigation So, many people have failed this little girl The school, the driver, the police, the justice system even to an extent the parent who did not trust her instincts
I am utterly disgusted to be South African right now Public outrage has been immense, with protests and a petition gathering more than 600 000 signatures demanding accountability Why must it always take public pressure for authorities to act? The system is clearly broken What we need to see in this movement is about more than just #JusticeForCwecwe Children and women across the country are suffering in silence The same silence CweCwe and her family had endured for six months as so many have tried to silence them
We are facing a devastating crisis of sexual violence, with some of the highest rates of rape and gender-based violence (GBV) in the world
Statistics paint a grim picture: thousands of rape cases are reported annually yet conviction rate remains alarmingly low In many instances, survivors are met with victim-blaming attitudes from law enforcement, medical professionals, and even their communities Delays in investigations, mishandling of evidence, and the intimidation of survivors further discourage victims from seeking justice
There is a deep-rooted cultural problem that normalises violence against women and children
While we can refer to the cases reported, there are still many that go unreported due to fear, stigma, or a lack of faith in the system, reinforcing a cycle of abuse
At some point we feel we have heard it all I am sick to my stomach We cannot be silent
ST JAMES LOCALS COMPLETE MILLER’S POINT TO FISH HOEK “MARATHON” SWIM
St James locals Ross Walkin (left) and Byron Loker completed a 10,5km “marathon” open water swim from Miller’s Point south of Simon’s Town to Fish Hoek Beach in a time of five hours and 11 minutes on Saturday 29 March, in an event facilitated by Big Bay Events and officially recognised for medal awards by the Cape Long Distance Swimming Association (CLDSA). Ross and Byron can regularly be seen taking to the water between Surfers’ Corner and the Brass Bell when the conditions are ideal, and the beer is cold!
PHOTO: NIKKI PETERSEN / B G BAY EVENTS
CRIME CONTINUES TO BE A WORRY IN OUR DEVELOPING COUNTRY
SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS
Writer explores faith, hope, love
NAMHLAMONAKALI
NAMHLA MONAKALI@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Retired oncologist and now author Elizabeth Murray shared her inspiring story of faith and resilience at an book talk event at Wynberg Library on Thursday 3 April
The event featured a lively discussion and a Q&A session, where Murray spoke openly about her experiences with Myalgic Encepha-
EVEN IN THE DARKEST TIMES, THERE IS HOPE
lomyelitis (ME) and long covid, and how these challenges shaped her book These Three Murray’s book explores themes of faith, hope, and love, and has resonated with many readers Her personal experiences with illness
have given her a unique perspective on the importance of perseverance and the power of prayer “Even in the darkest times, there is always hope,” Murray told the audience “Faith isn’t just for the good times, it’s a lifeline in the hard moments ”
During the event, those in attendance praised Murray’s courage and vulnerability Many were moved by her story and the way she turned personal struggles into a source of strength and inspiration
Visitor Marlene Poolman said: “It’s amazing how she has used her own challenges to help others ”
Murray spoke about her writing process, explaining how faith kept her motivated during difficult periods “It was my belief that something bigger than me was guiding me, ” she shared “That kept me going even when I didn’t feel strong enough ”
The Q&A session allowed the audience to connect with Murray on a personal level She shared how she stayed resilient despite her health struggles and how prayer and support from others were key to her journey “We all face struggles, but we are never truly alone,” she added, reflecting on the importance of community Murray’s book is a powerful reminder of the strength found in faith, and her message has inspired many to find hope in their own lives
The event ended with many eager to read her book about healing and the human spirit
City installs electricity for backyarders
The City of Cape Town’s Energy Directorate connected 25 more backyard homes to the electricity grid in Hanover Park and Newfields as part of its city-wide backyarder service electrification programme
The programme is a city-wide initiative, which aims to provide electricity supply to backyarder residents living on City-owned rental property
“We were excited to join the families of Hanover Park and Newfields as we switched on the electricity to their homes for the first time
“The City invested more than R261 000 into the project and is working to connect more backyarder homes in other areas over the coming months In addition to the electricity connec-
tions, beneficiaries will also enjoy relief with an allocation of up to 60 units of free basic electricity (FBE) on the City’s subsidised Lifeline Tariff,” says Mayco member for energy, Xanthea Limberg
“In the 2024-'25 financial year, the City connected backyarder homes across the city The areas include Lavender Hill, Factreton, Hanover Park and Newfields
“The City’s backyarder service electricity programme is one of our Energy Directorate’s focus areas and we are pleased that this project in Hanover Park and Newfields will immediately improve the lives of the residents and their families The City continues to prioritise electrification
projects in informal settlements and to backyarders living on City-owned land, and these initiatives underscore the City’s commitment to service delivery in all communities ”
The project involved installing electricity poles where required in the area, additional infrastructure as well as connecting electricity meters in the households
The added benefit of projects of this nature is the upgrade of the local electricity grid network
“It is important to note that the City’s backyarder service electricity programme is being rolled out in phases and prioritises areas based on need and technical feasibility,” says Limberg
AnEasterfeedingdrive
NAMHLAMONAKALI
NAMHLA MONAKALI@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Residents of Plumstead are being urged to support an Easter drive to feed the elderly and children of the community Organised by Beverly Strong of the Naruna Estate Association, the initiative hopes to bring joy and relief to those in need during the holiday season Strong is appealing to the public for donations of Easter eggs, tinned fish and hot-cross buns
“Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference,” she said “We want to ensure that the elderly and children in our community have something special to enjoy this Easter ”
The Easter drive, which has been running for several years, relies on the generosity of the community Strong emphasised the importance of helping those who may be struggling “Many people in our neighbourhood face financial difficulties, and this is our way of giving back,” she explained
Those who wish to contribute can drop their donations off at Naruna Estate, 33 Coombe Road, Plumstead “It’s all about sharing and making sure no-one feels left out during this time of celebration,” she added
For more information or to donate, residents can get in touch with Strong directly at 074 341 8252 The Easter drive will continue accepting contributions in the lead-up to the holiday
Retired Oncologist and now author Elizabeth Murray shared her inspiring story of faith and resilience at a book talk event at Wynberg Library on Thursday 3 April
Beverley Strong and Yvonne Madoc bring relief to those in need in Plumstead
Street store returns for the needy
The Street Store, the world’s first rent-free, premises-free, free pop-up store for those living on the street, returns to the Haven Night Shelter in Green Point on Saturday 12 April from 09:00 until 11:00
The initiative offers the needy a chance to be clothed with dignity – and at no cost
The latest Street Store, building on more than 1 100 stores globally since the initiative was founded 11 years ago, is the culmination of a partnership between The Up&Up Group and Old Khaki
The “Last season is so this season ” campaign has encouraged people to think differently about clothing and how they can partake in the circular economy through the transformative power of fashion and giving
SATURDAY 12 APRIL FROM 09:00 AT HAVEN NIGHT SHELTER GREEN POINT
loved clothes at selected outlets
These collection points ran until the end of March
The clothing store also announced that it had donated a portion of its own merchandise towards the Street Stores, while a partnership with Unilever will see packages, including toiletries being made available for Street Store customers That fundamental principle underpins the experience: the dignity that comes with offering choice
The initiative comes at a time when the fash-
1,2-billion tons of greenhouse gasses, and this number is expected to rise 50% by 2030
This year ’ s campaign encourages people to think differently about fashion, which is aligned with The Street Store’s mission to address waste, promote circular economies, and foster a culture of mindful giving and sustainable fashion
Nival Maharaj, Street Store spokesperson at The Up&Up Group, says that running a Street Store unleashes the transformative power of fashion
“The Street Store encourages us all to be conscious of our own behaviours and how we can give back to society by playing a part in the circular economy Rather donate than contribute to thousands of tonnes of used clothes in landfills
“Consider this, a preloved, but now unworn item of clothing packed in the back of a cupboard could become a job interview or matric dance fit for someone else The possibilities are endless ”
Odile Hufkie, Head of Marketing at the clothing store says: “It was important for us to partner with an initiative that seeks to make lasting change It’s been inspiring to see the installations at our stores encourage people to be mindful about their own behaviours as well as the environment and those in need We look forward to the Street Store in Green Point where last season ’ s fashion is poised to make a real difference in people’s lives this year ”
Clothing donations can still be dropped off at The Up&Up Group’s campuses in De Smit Street, Media Quarter, 5th floor in Cape Town
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Thousands of young people marched through the Cape Town CBD on Tuesday 1 April to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) calling for safety at schools across the country, following the alleged rape of a sevenyear-old girl at her school in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape last October.
The incident came to light after the girl’s mother had taken to social media in a desperate attempt to seek justice for her daughter, as the alleged rapist had yet to be arrested
The #JusticeforCwecwe protest saw young
people dressed in black carrying placards calling for justice for the girl and other victims Protests in solidarity took place across the country
People’s Post spoke to a few of the protesters
Bhongolethu Ndolela said he had joined the protest to show support for all victims of sexual abuse “I am here to support This young girl was violated, we want answers ” Another protester, Mpho Mathe, said: “There is strength in numbers, and we want to prevent one of our sisters going through this in future None of this is right ”
Rosa Sayidini said schools should be places of safety “We have been shouting and saying we need justice for kids at schools That’s a no-brainer Justice shouldn’t take this long
TIME TO CHALLENGE MEN WHO THINK LIKE RAPISTS
Kids should be at school, not scared at home
Women and children are still unsafe “It is time to address the elephant in the room; men who think like rapists and who are rapists Stop blaming women and children for what men are up to ”
When Western Cape Minister of Education
David Maynier and Premier Alan Winde were unable to accept a memorandum they marched to Parliament, where they handed their grievances to Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube
Commenting in a press statement afterwards, Maynier said he was “deeply disturbed” by the incident “I accepted a memorandum on Tuesday afternoon and will refer it to the relevant national departments for action We are aware that the Eastern Cape Department of Education as well as police are investigating the incident “We urge them to ensure the perpetrator is found and faces the full might of the law Our children must be able to learn in a safe environment when at school ” He appealed to victims to speak out “This incident has occurred in another province, but I urge anyone who is aware of an incident of abuse or assault in a Western Cape school to report this immediately to the police and our Safe Schools hotline on 0800 45 46 47 ”
Protesters carried placards calling for justice for sexual assault victims (Photo: Kaylynne Bantom)
Lasting dream becomes a reality
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
KAYLYNNE BANTOM@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
In his mid-20s he had a dream that he was being robed and now, more than 40 years later, this dream has become a reality
On Monday 24 March he walked across the stage at Stellenbosch University in academic robes to accept an honorary degree bestowed on him.
What's more, he is now entitled to style himself Dr Jonathan Butler, having received the Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil), honoris causa, at the institution's graduation ceremony for its Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
People's Post caught up with the singer-songwriter and guitarist, who is currently in Cape Town until the end of this month
He said he felt honoured to be awarded this accolade from the university "Thanks to Stellenbosch University for acknowledging this moment and for seeing me Walking up the stage was incredibly overwhelming Little did I know that a dream I had of being robed in my 20s wouold come true I remember I had a dream in my mid-20s that I was being robed; little did I know how true that dream would become until a week ago, in Stellenbosch A dream fulfilled "
But this is not the only accolade he has received In 2023, Butler was awarded civic honours by the City of Cape Town
He could not personally accept the award at the time and was handed the accord by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Friday 28 March
HE WAS HONOURED BY STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY.
"This past month has witnessed the most amazing moment of my life To be seen by my city and be recognised speaks volumes of the love my city has for me, not to mention the love I have for my city "I embrace this with all of my strength, because it's nice to know it is not happening when I'm dead I am alive and can appreciate and enjoy the moments with my loved ones, brothers, sisters, wife and children
all around me I was the last of the litter who picked it up It was something my parents saw in me And before I knew it they put me on stage "At the time I was shy, but when I got to sing in front of people the shyness went away My family was responsible for creating that space and creativity where we all sang on the same stage, at Malay choirs and nightclubs, that's where I started " More than five decades later, the 63-year-old says he hasn't looked back since "Here I am still travelling the world making music and hopefully making people happy And I am trying to bring the world together and make the world a better place alongside my friends "
everything I had "Music starts the conversation; music ends the night Music is the reminder that we need to congregate and celebrate Music is like water, you need water to live, and music is the same thing for me This world will not be the same without music " Butler, who now lives in California, said whenever he visits Cape Town he loves visiting some of his favourite places "Whenever I am here I have to go to Willoughby's, Wembley Roadhouse, Pigalle to get the best prawns I have to go to Swingers: I am a local boy, so I want to see my people act like fools I go to the Blue Room, the music there is stunning Those are some of my favourite things to do "
"I make a point of working with young musicians whenever I am in South Africa, and I encourage them to work hard The reward won't come when you sit around Spend time with your instrument, spend time with your voice, spend time learning to craft your song Invest in yourself Believe in yourself, believe in your ability to succeed "I also try to explain to them that little things done correctly equal perfection This is one of many things I've learnt in my life " Butler also expressed his gratitude to his supporters "I am you and you are me We are one person I want you to know I will always make you proud and fly the South African flag high "
UCTdebatesprogress
NAMHLA MONAKALI@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
A conference at the University of Cape Town (UCT) recently examined South Africa's progress since the advent of democracy in 1994
Held from Wednesday 2 April at the Kramer Law Building on Middle Campus, the event brought together policymakers, business leaders, researchers, and civil society representatives to reflect on the past three decades and explore ways to unlock the country's potential for the years ahead
Organised by UCT's Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (Saldru), the conference was supported by Agence Française de Développement, the European Commission, and Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA), with additional backing from The Presidency, National Treasury, and the National Planning Commission Prof Reza Daniels from Saldru highlighted the importance of the event as a platform for open discussion "This was an opportunity for South Africa's social partners to engage robustly on pathways forward for the country," he said Over the course of three days, the conference focused on various aspects of South Africa's development Day one covered government policies over the past 30 years, with discussions on education, trade, labour, health, and the environment Day two delved into policy directions for the next five years, while the final day was dedicated to long-term strategies for
the next three decades
Audrey Rojkoff, Regional Director for Agence Française de Développement, underscored the longstanding collaboration between France and South Africa "For 30 years, we ' ve been working together, learning from each other, and we look forward to hearing from the research community on how to further strengthen this partnership," she remarked Pencho Garrido Ruiz, the European Union's deputy ambassador to Pretoria, also highlighted the EU's ongoing relationship with South Africa, noting the shared values and regular dialogue on key issues such as trade, energy transition, and peace and security
Rudi Dicks, head of the project management office in The Presidency, reflected on the significance of the conference "As we marked 30 years of democracy, this event provided an opportunity for honest and constructive engagement with the lessons of the past and the demands of the future The insights gathered will help shape the policy agenda for the next five years and contribute to a long-term vision for a just and prosperous South Africa," he stated
With a 50-year history of conducting research that informs policy and development, Saldru has a strong track record of producing high-quality research on key issues such as inequality, poverty, and labour markets The unit continues to play a vital role in shaping policies for South Africa's future
Jonathan Butler in action in Athlone.
The University of Cape Town
NAMHLAMONAKALI
Shacks on the rise in the Cape
The Cape Metro is home to more than 270 000 informal households.
And with the state of poverty in the country, the rise of new settlements such as Covid-19 in Mfuleni has quickly grown to be one of the biggest in the city City of Cape Town's spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo says there are around 4 000 informal settlements in the country, with just under 700 in the Cape Metro
"According to our dataset, the oldest (informal settlements) are Freedom Park in the Airport precinct and Sixth Avenue in Kensington The largest are newly formed and flow into one another, Covid-19 in Mfuleni and New Monwabisi Park 1 in Khayelitsha," he says
"The vulnerability and scale of informal residents across the metro has increased tremendously since Covid-19 and the large-scale unlawful occupation that took place while the emergency regulations were in effect that prevented the prevention of unlawful occupation Some of the most populated, most vulnerable Covid-19 created settlements have been as a direct result of political instigation, and also organised syndicates There are also many incidents of individual need, especially when people lost their jobs "
With the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the large-scale unlawful occupations during the national lockdown created 186 new informal settlements – bringing the total to 683 settlements
Tyhalibongo says: "More than 60% of these new settlements are considered high risk – situated under power lines, in wetlands, retention ponds, dams, low-lying inappropriate land, and biodiversity protected areas We'd need about 500 ha of land for these new occupants, identified to be at risk due to their physical location " Of the aid offered to informal residents, such as the electrification and sanitation, the City only manages settlements on its own land using public funds from national and provincial
g r d c r C established, they are not planned and not budgeted for Importantly, the management of existing informal settlements, day to day cleaning toilets, or rubbish removal or other feasible services, ultimately is paid for by ratepayers And the resources are not limitless, as there are not large or growing numbers of ratepayers For upgrading of informal settlements programmes, national government grant transfers are used," he says
NAMHLAMONAKALI
The City of Cape Town has tabled its draft budget for the 2025-'26 financial year, introducing significant changes to monthly municipal accounts
The budget, now open for public comment until Friday 2 May, includes adjustments to property rates, electricity, water, sanitation, and the introduction of a City-wide cleansing tariff
According to Ward 59 councillor Mikhail Manuel, the budget includes structural changes to utility tariffs in line with the National Treasury ’ s Trading Services Reform Programme
The reforms aim to ensure that local governments fund new infrastructure, maintenance, and operations independently Instead of establishing separate companies for utilities, as seen in Johannesburg, the City has opted to restructure its tariffs
“This approach ensures that each utility service operates as a ring-fenced entity with both a fixed and a consumptive tariff portion,” said Manuel “The fixed portion will fund infrastructure investment and maintenance, while the consumptive portion will cover daily operations ”
Residential properties will see a 7,96% increase in their rates contribution, rising from 0 006631 to 0 007159 However, properties valued at less than R5 million will receive a R435000 reduction before their contribution is calculated Pensioners earning less than R22000 per month may qualify for further rebates
A new “Service and Wires Charge” will be introduced for domestic customers, while Lifeline customers will be exempt Despite the changes, Cape Town’s electricity tariff increase is capped
Settlements that have been planned and budgeted for, must get priority "The more informal settlements are established, the greater the pressure The new ones are assessed to see where they are established (for instance the City has limitations where they are established on private land or nature reserve land); how danger-
ous the conditions are; the numbers of people; whether they qualify for any type of housing assistance in terms of the law; and whether any services can be provided at all, such as rubbish removal to page 3 from page 1
"All types of informality are record-
at 2%, significantly lower than Eskom’s 11,32% hike
The fixed water tariff, previously based on meter size, will now be determined by property value, benefiting lower-income households The sanitation tariff will now consist of both a fixed and a consumptive portion, ensuring that costs remain stable for most users
Previously incorporated into rates and service fees, cleansing services will now have a standalone tariff to ensure transparency in funding waste management across the city Despite the structural changes, the City has emphasised that the budget is designed to
protect vulnerable and lower-income residents
“These changes have been implemented in a way that lowers the cost of living for the most vulnerable and lower-income residents”
Residents are encouraged to review the full budget and submit their comments before the deadline The detailed budget, including specific tariff breakdowns, can be accessed at capetown gov za
The City of Cape Town remains committed to balancing financial sustainability with affordability for residents With public participation, officials aim to finalise a budget that reflects the needs and concerns of all Capetonians
UDGET PAYS FOR WHAT IS IN ITY’S EXISTING
City's database," he says dwellings are informal, in settlements are not d homeless and if eligible for formal housing on the Needs Register offers services where n informal settlements on owever some of the land able for human habitation fore cannot be connected to und water or electricity it can, it will roll out water ation and electrical services rubbish collection," says ngo al settlements on private her government land are he City may not provide without permission in terms Often the City will, where provide services such as wapipes, and rubbish removal ripheries of such land The conditions as well as how opulated a settlement is, as e budget conditions, are key e mentioned day-to-day f budgeted informal settlee City also upgrades existing ts with grants where feasicognition that informality ing that will remain with all outh Africa, a large focus and continues to be the g of informal settlements and mainstreaming basic service provision," says Tyhalibongo "In 2024, R390 million was earmarked for informal settlements upgrading projects The City's Human Settlements Directorate has spent approximately 99% of its entire budget on human settlements, showing strong commitment and that the money allocated to its human settlements projects and programmes are going where it is earmarked to go "
Comment on draft spatial plan
The City of Cape Town invites residents, the business community and all stakeholders to comment on the draft local spatial development framework (LSDF) for the Cape Town CBD
This framework encapsulates the City's vision for the CBD's future growth and will guide decisions about land use and development density the public realm including streets, and urban design
Once approved, it will also inform public investment in infrastructure to ensure that the CBD transitions into a more sustainable, equitable, inclusive, liveable and resilient space
The first draft LSDF was made available for public comment in September and October last year The comments received during this period have been used to further refine the LSDF, including the Implementation Plan
The latter consists of programmes, projects and actions to be implemented by various City departments with support from the private sector and other inter-governmental stakeholders in various priority precincts within the CBD
A Mobility and Access Plan specifically designed for the CBD, is in its formative stage, and will be shared as an annexure This includes public investment priorities on public transport, roads, and non-motorised transport to improve mobility; upgrades to public squares and streetscapes; and proposed projects to ensure the CBD's appeal as a tourist and investment destination, amongst others The draft LSDF is available on the City's website at: www capetown gov za/haveyoursay
To comment attend the public information sessions or go online www capetown gov za/haveyoursay Submit comments by Sunday 11 May
The City of Cape Town supplies sanitation and electrification to informal settlements on its own land
The Fire Eater on the Flipside
Empatheatre's electrifying and highly acclaimed Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater, a one-woman show brought to life by Mpume Mthombeni and theatre-maker Neil Coppen, comes to the Baxter Flipside
Winner of four Naledi Theatre Awards for Best Production, Best Actor in a solo performance, Best Director and Best Lighting Design, the production was nominated for four more awards At the 2024 Woordtrofees Awards it won Best New South African text, Best Solo Performance for Mpume Mthombeni and Best Technical Achievement for Tina le Roux It was selected as the Noorderzon Critics Choice at the 2023 Noorderzon Festival of Performing Arts in the Netherlands The play text has been published by Wits University Press Coppen, in collaboration with Mthombeni, wrote the script, which is based on a range of testimonials Set in a womens ’ hostel in downtown Durban, Zenzile Maseko (performed by Mthombeni), is a grandmother partially disabled and declared dead by the Home Affairs’ decrepit system It is within the confines of this cramped room that Zenzile reckons with Nkulunkulu (God), recalling the unbelievable series of events that have unfolded across her lifetime It is soon revealed that she operated as one of the Inkatha Freedom Party's (IFP) most feared assassins nicknamed Impundulu (The Lightning Bird) in the build-up to the 1994 general elections It’s a past Zenzile has spent most of her adult life trying to erase, praying nightly to Nkulunkulu and begging Him to cleanse her of her past sins However, when Home Affairs mistakenly declares her dead and is unable
to reverse the error on their system, she finds herself cast into the middle of a Kafkaesque nightmare, forced to reawaken the vengeful spirit of Impundulu to secure her survival
Mthombeni sets the stage ablaze in a breathtaking tour-de-force performance that sees her shifting between the feared IFP assassin Impundulu and the reborn Gogo, longing to return to the house she’s building in her childhood village, iPharadise
Zenzile’s devastating and often hilarious recollections propel the audience back and forth through time, traversing the shifting landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal and while charting critical events in the province's post-1994 trajectory through to its present-day floods and insurrections While the story offers an insightful look at the eddying cycles of violence and revenge that play out across generations, it is most of all a story about redemption, regeneration and reinvention
The production has toured throughout South Africa and Europe to sold-out houses and rave reviews with performances at the National Arts Festival, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (Durban), The Market Theatre (Joburg), Hilton Arts Festival (KZN), Noorderzon Festival of Performing Arts (Groningen Netherlands), The Kampnagel International Summer Festival (Hamburg, Germany) and La Bâtie - Festival de
BlueycomestoCapeTown
time South African fans can experience the joy of seeing Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad in their theatre show, featuring brilliantly-created puppets, iconic sets, live actors and all-new music It’s Bluey like you ’ ve never seen it before, in real life and on stage
The hit theatre production Bluey’s Big Play
The Stage Show will make its debut at Artscape Theatre, from Thursday 26 June until Sunday 6 July
Bluey’s Big Play is a theatrical adaptation of the Bafta and Emmy Award-winning animated children’s television series produced by Ludo Studio Bluey’s Big Play follows Bluey and her family through a full day from sunrise through to bedtime When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans
It’s an original story from creator Joe Brumm, with bespoke music from Bluey composer Joff Bush The audio track for Bluey’s Big Play is prerecorded and features original voices from the TV sensation, including the instantly recognisable voices of Dave McCormack and Melanie Zanetti as Dad and Mum While the largerthan-life puppets are commanded by Bluey’s Big Play’s talented puppeteers, who bring Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad to life on stage
Kate O’Connor, Director of Brands and Licensing BBC Studios ANZ, said: “Following the incredible reaction to the live theatre show in North America, United Kingdom, Ireland,
Genève (Switzerland) It has just returned from a season at the Schlachthaus Theatre in Berne, Switzerland
Mthombeni, Coppen alongside Dylan McGarry, are the co-founders of Empatheatre whose focus is on forging creative responses to complex social concerns and historical events
The company was awarded the prestigious 2022 Bertha Artivism Award for their theatre and social justice work as well as the 2023 Fleur Du Cap award for innovation in South African
.
Candice on stage again for a very limited time
Earthside returns to Theatre Arts following its acclaimed run last month The production will be performed again for a limited season from Monday 14 to Wednesday 17 April at 19:30 Earthside is an auto-biographical one-woman dark comedy written and performed by Candice Bernstein (Gruesome Playground Injuries, Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues) The play is directed by multiple-award winning Jennifer Steyn (Faustus in Africa!, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Lara Foot’s The Inconvenience of Wings) Lighting Design is by Kieran McGregor (The Father, Expelled, The Sin Drinkers) Earthside explores Bernstein’s journey as a
first-time mother while she navigates love, loss and ridiculously built underground parking structures Earthside looks at the raw, chaotic and unpredictable space between life and death, diving head-first into the bittersweet reality of grieving while also becoming a first-time mother: where joy and sorrow collide in the most absurd ways With humour as its guide, earthside takes an unflinching look at the complexity of existing in the in-between It's a personal journey filled with moments of levity, deep reflection and plenty of irreverence .Tickets cost R180 / R100 concession.Bookings can be made at Theatre Arts online
Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Europe and Australia, we are so excited to bring Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show to fans in South Africa ” Tony Feldman of Showtime Management said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show to South Africa The response to the show from fans across Australia, North America and Europe has been nothing short of amazing and we can’t wait for families in South Africa to experience all the fun and excitement of having Bluey and her family live on stage ” The stage show has enjoyed much success around the world, especially in Australia, where it premiered in Bluey’s hometown, Brisbane, and went on to perform over 500 times across 65 venues, including the Sydney Opera House Bluey’s Big Play was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Family Show in 2024
Since bursting onto TV screens in Australia in 2018, Bluey has enjoyed a plethora of critical successes at home and abroad, winning a 2022 Bafta Children & Young People Award in the International category, a 2024 Kidscreen Award for Best Animated Series and picking up its consecutive fifth AACTA Best Children’s Programme award to add to an International Emmy and numerous awards for craft and production around the world
. Tickets for Bluey’s Big Play are available now and can be purchased at www.showtime.co.za or www ticketmaster co za
‘Earthside’
Theatre In 2024, Empatheatre was granted the Ibsen scope award for their up-and-coming isiZulu adaptation of Ibsen’s Enemy of the People
Mpume Mthombeni in Isidlamlilo
Candice Bernstein in
Jihaan Cloete busy with