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Shwele Bawo

14 Feb 2012 - 18 Mar 2012

Venue: Barney Simon
Duration: 75 minutes
Ages: 6

Tshabi Girl Productions
in association with the Market Theatre presents
Shwele Bawo

Shwele Bawo looks at the juxtaposition of old traditions fighting for survival against modern ways in South Africa and the effect this has on society.

Through the story of the protagonist, Dikeledi Nkabinde, told retrospectively from Dikeledi’s place of imprisonment, many themes create multiple layers for thought: identity crises among men and women; the disintegration of family structures; women and child abuse; relationships; incest; the power of the media and the inequalities in our justice system, all come under the spotlight.

The play reveals how these issues, ignored for far too long, have created a social time bomb of secrets and lies that threaten to destroy our society.

Dikeledi is a woman who decides to take the law into her own hands and plans to kill her abusive husband. For over 12 years she has been a faithful wife to Solly Nkabinde, turning a blind eye to his infidelities and physical abuse. Traditional instructions from her elders to obey her husband (“Monna ke selepe wa kadimisangwa! A man is an axe to be borrowed!”) keep her from leaving her situation.

But when she realises that her daughter, Bontle, has also been a victim of abuse at the hands of Solly, she explodes and other proverbs are awakened within her - (“Mmangwana o tshwara thipa ka bohaleng! The mother of the child holds the sharp end of the knife!”)

The protective instinct of the mother kicks in and to protect her children, she plans to kill her husband and break the chains of her repetitive abuse.

An award-winning playwright, actress and director, Motshabi is as well known for her belief in the need for the empowerment and cultural enrichment of our youth and society as she is for her theatrical and television work. “When we encounter Dikeledi at the beginning of the play she has already spent two years in jail. She has done some deep soul searching and has forgiven herself. Through the story, the audience see not only Dikeledi’s story, but that of the South African society at large. Do we keep on judging her? Or are we going to look at her with different eyes? Are we going to look at ourselves and see what we`ve become and see what we stand for? What do we stand for?” Motshabi asks.

Book now to see Shwele Bawo. Performances are at the Market Theatre Tuesdays to Sundays. Tickets are and available through Computicket or by calling the theatre (011) 832-1641. Group and block bookings are available.

Ends

Note to the Editor: About Motshabi Tyelele

The winner of the 1986 Artes Awards for Best Comedy Actress, 2001 Avanti Award for Best Sitcom Actress, 2004 Naledi Award for Best Actress in a Drama and 2010 Golden Horn (SAFTAS) Award for Best Supporting Actress, Motshabi trained in Speech and Drama at the University of Cape Town, went on to study Public Relations with PRISA (Public Relations Institute of South Africa) and did Voice Training with the Royal National Theatre Company in London.

Popularly known as “Thando” in the local sitcom Suburban Bliss, Sophie in Generations and Eve in Madam and Eve, Motshabi has worked extensively as an actor in film, television and theatre.

Her recent television appearances were in the popular children`s programme Takalani Sesame, Soul City 6 and Yizo Yizo 3.

Motshabi recognises the need for the empowerment and cultural enrichment of our youth and society in general and is active in drama/communication workshops. A former voice teacher at the Market Theatre Laboratory, Motshabi co-wrote and directed an industrial theatre production dealing with HIV/Aids, No Second Chance for the Eskom Development Foundation, which toured the country.

Working with Corporatescenes Inc, an American based company, Motshabi has facilitated Active Communication workshops for Avis South Africa, Transnet, The Department of Education, McKinsey Group, The Kelly Group and Khalil Fattal et Fils (Lebanon).

She has also been the Master of Ceremonies at functions such as Nadine Gordimer`s 80th birthday celebration, the Tenth Anniversary of the Human Rights and Democracy Awards and Absa Foundation Gala Dinner in honour of the IEC`s Dr. Brigalia Bam and Adv. Pansy Tlakula to name a few.

Shwele Bawo! A Grave Injustice! was nominated for Best New S.A Play, Best Set Design and Best Performance by a lead Actress, for the 2004 Naledi Awards.

Motshabi received the Best Performance by Lead Actress Award, for her outstanding role in this great play, which was also one of the highlights at the Playhouse Company`s Tenth Celebration of the South African Women`s Arts Festival in August 2006!

A highly competent and versatile voice artist, her voice can be heard in the children`s International award winning animation programme, Magic Cellar, in which she plays three characters!

Motshabi starred alongside John Kani in Nothing but the Truth which toured the UK after a highly-successful season at the Hampstead Theatre in London. She also starred in the movie version of the same play.