The Cry Of Winnie Mandela

ONE LAST CHANCE! THE CRY OF WINNIE MANDELA EXTENDED UNTIL 30 MARCH!

with Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo as ‘Winnie’

Following its critical and popular success, The Cry of Winnie Mandela – a play based on the Njabulo Ndebele novel of the same name – makes a highly anticipated return to the stage. Adapted by Alex Burger and directed by the award-winning MoMo Matsunyane, The Cry of Winnie Mandela has returned to The Market Theatre from 26 February to 23 March 2025. Due to popular demand the show has been extended to 30 March 2025!

Award-winning TV actress, theatre practitioner and presenter, Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo, takes on the character of ‘Winnie’. Mdoda-Nxumalo joins the remarkable cast comprising of Rami Chuene, Ayanda Sibisi, Siyasanga Papu, Les Made and Pulane Rampoana in this searing adaption of Njabulo S. Ndebele’s seminal novel.  

Director, MoMo Matsunyane, describes The Cry Of Winnie Mandela as a courageous story of every woman who has endured loss, suffered loneliness and experienced the chilling anxiety of waiting. “Winnie Mandela continues to be a powerful, multi-layered figure to explore. Her revolutionary spirit, resilient character and generous heart have become anchors for many women of all generations and identities, each seeing herself in her legacy. Indeed, she did not die; she multiplied,’’ says MoMo.

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In the play, four women meet to reflect, joined together by their anticipation of their husbands’ return. Engaged in sacred moments of sharing and fellowship, they lean on the heroism of Winnie Mandela, and the connection they feel towards her. The women interrogate their – and other women’s – reasons for waiting, and what the wait did to them. This interrogation leads to a series of hearty, haunting, and critical conversations, drawing audiences to reflect on the historical struggles of women, while drawing parallels to our own contemporary lives.

All this is done with intense emotion and cleverly injected humour, weaving together the characters’ private accounts and exposing the shadows, isolation and complexities of their journeys against the backdrop of the life and times of Winnie Mandela. You are invited to join these resilient women as they gather, share their stories, sing, and metaphorically drink their “tea” – a potent blend of strength and vulnerability.

Tickets for both The Baxter Theatre and The Market Theatre runs are available on Webtickets. Audiences can unlock a 30% OFF special when they buy tickets during the festive season until 7 January for all performances of The Cry of Winnie Mandela happening at The Market Theatre.

Start 2025 by being inspired by this powerful exploration of love, resilience, courage, and the indomitable spirit of women.

ENDS!

For media enquiries, please contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at the Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za.

For reduced price block bookings (of 10 or more) and school groups, contact Anthony Ezeoke (Audience Development) at AnthonyE@markettheatre.co.za or 083 246 4950.  

Derek Gripper

Derek Gripper: Call It What It Is (PG5+)

Derek Gripper is one of South Africa’s leading guitarists whose love of the kora set him transcribing and record some of its greatest works, changing the face of classical guitar. Returning from a countrywide tour of the United States, Derek will play a fundraiser for The Gift of the Givers Foundation, the largest disaster response non-governmental organisation of African origin on the African continent.

Join us for an unforgettable evening with Derek Gripper, a guitarist who redefines the boundaries of classical music. Renowned for his innovative technique that evokes the rich sounds of the West African Kora (21 string harp), Gripper masterfully blends the intricate music of great African composers including Toumani Diabaté and Ali Farka Touré alongside the timeless compositions of Arvo Pärt and J.S. Bach.

Gripper’s transformative journey began with his album One Night on Earth, where he translated the captivating sounds of kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté onto the guitar.

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Celebrated guitarist John Williams noted, “It seemed absolutely impossible until I heard Derek Gripper do it.” Derek’s interpretations not only showcase his virtuosity but also incorporate lessons from the oral traditions of West Africa, creating a dialogue between cultures.

This work led to collaborations that transcended borders, with invitations to perform alongside John Williams and Toumani Diabaté’s Symmetric Orchestra. Gripper’s artistry has captivated audiences at esteemed venues across the globe, from Carnegie Hall to Shakespeare’s Globe.

Recent recordings like “A Year of Swimming,” “Billy Goes to Durban,” and his latest album with kora master Ballaké Sissoko, introduce original compositions and improvisations, each a testament to his dedication to evolving and challenging his musical style. Moreover, his recordings of the solo works of J.S. Bach have been a fascinating study in the symbiosis of African music and early European melodies, revealing the freedom and universality of one of Europe’s great improvising musicians.

This concert is not merely a performance; it is an immersive exploration that invites you to experience the profound connections between diverse musical traditions. Join us for a night that promises to inspire and resonate deeply.

Secure your tickets now and be part of this exceptional musical celebration with Derek Gripper!

Special note:
The great Malian kora player Toumani passed away unexpectedly in July of 2024. To commemorate the passing of one of Africa’s great virtuosos, Derek will perform the five compositions off Toumani’s debut album “Kaira” in a brand new, never before performed, rendition of these classics of the West African repertoire.

BODY MOVES International Inclusive Dance Festival

BODY MOVES International Inclusive Dance Festival (13+)

International Collaboration to Shine at 2024 BODY MOVES Inclusive Dance Festival

Sibikwa Arts Centre proudly announces the much-anticipated 2024 edition of the BODY MOVES International Inclusive Dance Festival, taking place  at various venues  in Gauteng and the Western Cape from November.

This year’s festival breaks new ground with an exciting collaboration between South Africa and the United Kingdom, featuring Mark Smith Productions and Very Easy Productions.

Presented in partnership with the Market Theatre and Unmute Dance Company, the festival will travel across Gauteng and the Western Cape, offering audiences an unforgettable experience

For the first time, the 2024 festival adopts a unique format, focusing on an artistic residency, a performance tour, and a series of interactive workshops and discussions.

Sibikwa is thrilled to host the UK’s renowned deaf dancer and choreographer, Mark Smith, for a 2-week residency to create a new work, SYNERGY 2.0, with an inclusive dance ensemble from South Africa. The residency will culminate in performances of the newly devised work, presented alongside SYNERGY, a piece performed by a UK-SA inclusive ensemble. 

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The 2 pieces in conversation with each other, explore the impact of climate change on Deaf and disabled communities. Another highlight of the festival is Bells & Sirens 2, a dynamic reimagining of the original Bells and Sirens, commissioned by Sibikwa in 2023. This piece, supported by the Global Disability Innovation Hub’s UK aid funded AT2030 programme, choreographed by Thapelo Kotlolo and performed by Jabu Vilakazi and Keaoleboga Seodigeng, examines the vibrant yet precarious world of queer club culture, and the tension between the freedom of nightlife and societal constraints on identity and expression.

Performance Dates and Venues:

  • Sibikwa Arts Centre, Benoni: 21 & 22 November at 11h00, followed by post-performance discussions. Tickets may be purchased on Quicket for adults at R100, and for under 18’s at R50, with group discounts available.
  • Market Theatre, Johannesburg: 24 November at 15h00. Tickets are available on Webtickets for general entry at R100.
  • Unmute ArtsAbility Festival, Cape Town: 26 November – 7 December.

The festival will also offer inclusive dance workshops for carers and youth, led by celebrated dancers, choreographers and facilitators Gladys Aghulas, Gaby Saranouffi, and Teresa Phuti Mojela, at Afrika Tikkun Centres in Gauteng and the Western Cape, and at Sibikwa Arts Centre.

Workshops with carers will explore the relationship between self-care and caregiving through movement, providing tools to create supportive environments for people of all abilities. Youth-focused workshops will address themes of climate change and the marginalization of people with disabilities, using dance to encourage creative expression and reflection on social and environmental justice.

Workshop Dates and Venues:

  • Arika Tikkun Diepsloot Centre: 6 November
  • Afrika Tikkun Alexandra Centre: 7 November
  • Afrika Tikkun Orange Farm Centre: 12 November
  • Afrika Tikkun Braamfontein Centre: 14 November
  • Sibikwa Arts Centre, Benoni: 21 & 22 November at 09h30, free entry
  • Afrika Tikkun Emfuleni Centre: 2 December

Additionally, an important dialogue on dance and disability, presented in collaboration with the African Dance and Disability Network, will take place during the ArtsAbility Festival.

Stay updated on performance schedules, ticketing information, and details about the online dialogue through the Sibikwa Arts Centre and partner websites and social media.

Sibikwa’s BODY MOVES International Inclusive Dance Festival in 2024 is made possible through the generous support of the South African Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, the Gauteng Sports Council, the Federation of Gauteng Community Arts Centres, and the National Arts Council. Further support is provided by Arts Council England, Without Walls, Bird College, Birmingham Hippodrome, and Greenwich + Docklands International Festival.

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The BUZ Hive

Bridget van Oerle

bridget@thebuzhive.co.za / media@thebuzhive.co.za

083266991

For further information at Sibikwa contact Caryn Green at caryn@sibikwa.co.za or 011 422 4359 / 082 783 2035.

Elzabé Zietsman: Vier Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay’

Elzabé Zietsman: Vier Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay’

The Market Theatre, Drama Drama and Zietsies Restaurant proudly present Vier Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay, an award-winning cabaret by legendary performer, Elzabé Zietsman. Its performances are scheduled every Thursday for four weeks, starting from 24 October 2024, at the Market Theatre’s newly refurbished Gramadoelas space.
 
In the cabaret, Zietsman is accompanied by exceptional pianist and music director, Tony Bentel, a long-standing collaboration that brings together these stage veterans with nearly 100 years of combined experience. The show consists of a diverse repertoire of songs spanning Weimar-era cabarets, stripped-down renditions of contemporary hits and a few original compositionsis seamlessly woven with personal stories.
 
Vier Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay is an edgy work of honesty and critical reflection, laced with humour, through which Zietsman narrates her real life story in celebration of her own resilience, and that of her fellow South Africans. The 75-minute cabaret entertains while unpacking multiple adversities such as the kleptocracy robbing the country blind, crime, unemployment and other social ills. Zietsman recognises our courageous ability to produce positive outcomes despite our country’s challenges, as illustrated by the collective joy we feel when our athletic and artistic excellences are showcased on world stages.
 
“Resilience is not just the ability to bounce back from adversity, but also refers to the capacity to adapt to a changing environment. In today’s world, we need it more than ever, and Vier Panado’s en ‘n Chardonnay is a celebration of South Africans’ resilience and our ability to laugh at ourselves (and others),” Zietsman says.
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For its brilliant narrative and musical performance, the production won a Kanna Award for Best Offering: Music at the 2024 Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK). It is also nominated for Best Achievement: Contemporary Music – Solo/Duo at the recent 2024 Woordfees, and has received two nominations at Aardklop for Best Music Performance and Best Music-Driven Production.
The cabaret is the first in a series of upcoming programming of the recently refurbished and repurposed Gramadoelas space at the Market Theatre, which can now offer an alternative space for intimate gatherings alongside its core theatre experience.
 
Greg Homann, Artistic Director at the Market Theatre Foundation, described the decision to use Gramadoelas as a deliberate move to reactivate the space and diversify the Market Theatre’s value offering. Homann shares, “Staging this wonderful piece of work at the Gramadoelas is the next step towards the regular use of the venue as a multi-functional space. It’s part of the new energy we have injected into our offering, ensuring that we give our audiences experiences that go beyond our dedicated theatre venues.”
 
So, each Thursday from 24 October – 21 November 2024, bring all the headaches unique to being South African to the Market Theatre for your prescription of Vier Panados en ‘n  Chardonnay, written with sharp comedy and biting satire. Tickets via Webtickets cost R400 including dinner prepared from Elzabé Zietsman’s restaurant, Zietsies, or at R200 excluding food.
ENDS