Isitha Sabantu

Isitha Sabantu

A fictional tale inspired by real-life South African eco-defenders, Isitha Sabantu follows two grandmothers – one elephant, one human – as they fight to protect their families and land from corruption and extravism. Brought to life by the award-winning company, Empatheatre, and featuring an all-star cast and creative team, the work blends research, poetry, puppetry, music and myth to explore courage, community and our deep connections with the land and our ancestors. Empatheatre’s highly anticipated new work, Isitha Sabantu, is a story of courage, interdependence, and the love that binds humans, ancestors and other beings to the land.Inspired by the lives of real South African eco-defenders, the play follows Nomsa, a grandmother resisting corruption, and an elephant matriarch protecting her herd, as the land they inhabit changes through fences and mining.Their intertwined journeys explore land rights, extractivism, ubuntu and what we sacrifice to protect our homes. Blending puppetry, poetry and music, the play invites audiences to a world where justice is more than a legal ideal – it is a deeply ecological, spiritual, and communal practice.

Buy Tickets

The script – originally workshopped by Junction Avenue Theatre Company – is brought to life by a nine-member cast that features Sello Sebotsane (as Mabongo), Katleho Moloi (as Ginger George) and Gabisile Tshabalala (as Martha), to mention a few.

Staged in the 140th year since Johannesburg was formed, the piece in 2026 presents an important reflection on the city’s unique cultural identity, artistic richness and movement of people. It looks into the introduction of recorded music and the exploitation of artists that followed, bearing rich reflection for the music industry, especially for up-and-coming musicians. This local classic further exposes the evils of the apartheid regime’s forced removals, which uprooted families from Doornfontein to Soweto in order to achieve its ideology of segregation.

Director Arthur Molepo calls the revival of “Marabi” during The Market Theatre’s landmark year a profound tribute to South Africa’s cultural heritage. “This is not just a classic story retold with a fresh voice and sound,” he explains. “It’s also an opportunity to bridge generations of artists, promote social cohesion and preserve our country’s musical heritage. This piece speaks to the power of music as a transcendent force, using rhythm to guide us back to our roots.”

For The Market Theatre, opening its 50th anniversary year with this uniquely South African work illustrates its proud legacy as the people’s theatre.

Greg Homann, Artistic Director at The Market Theatre Foundation, states: “Our 50th celebrations will be guided by our principles of fearless storytelling, shared ownership and programming that reflects our nation’s diversity. This work is a signature South African theatre piece that will be enjoyed by both our legacy audiences as well as new theatre-goers of any age, giving them access to a period that defined the soul of the city. It’s a perfect play to sit as our 50th Anniversary season premiere, as we look back at the past and set the tone for the future.”

Homann further notes that just as marabi rose from the hardship of one of Johannesburg’s toughest spaces to become the city’s defining cultural sound and movement, The Market Theatre too was born in the wake of one of apartheid’s darkest tragedies: June 16, 1976. “We opened our doors in the same week as the Youth Uprising, which rooted The Market to a legacy of using artistic expression to resist oppression. It feels especially fitting, then, to begin our 50th-anniversary year with a production that celebrates how music and dance have shaped our social life and created a sense of home for generations of migrants navigating a fast-paced and unfamiliar city,” he says.

Get ready to start your year with a theatrical experience that reminds us of South Africa’s true gift to the world: the power of sound, movement and storytelling.

Tickets for the show are available on Webtickets via The Market Theatre’s website, with special festive season prices at R150 available till 11 January 2026. Reduced price bookings of 4 or more and half-price Wednesdays are also on sale.

Affordable, safe and secure underground parking is available at the Newtown Junction.

                                                                                                                                      ENDS.

The Market Theatre is a Division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

 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.

For media enquiries, contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at the Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641.

Under the shade of a tree

Under the Shade of a Tree i Sat and Wept

This moving and playfully irreverent production pays tribute to the unbreakable human spirit in the face of horror, and the courageous pursuit of forgiveness against bloodshed. Through archival material and newly collected testimonies, artists from South Africa and Europe reflect on the lessons offered by Kosovo’s 1990 Blood Feuds Reconciliation Campaign and South Africa’s 1995 Truth and Reconciliation Campaign.

Coinciding with the 30th Anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings, this bold international collaboration examines how societies reckon with conflict and forgiveness, asking hard questions about the true cost of reconciliation.

After premiering in Kosovo in 2025 and touring the Balkans, “Under the Shade of a Tree I Sat and Wept” is set for a stop at The Market Theatre from 9 – 26 April 2026. Directed by Blerta Neziraj, this visually dynamic piece will then continue its international journey to Norway, Italy, Portugal, Germany, France, and New York.

Buy Tickets

The cast includes Gontse Ntshegang (South Africa), Amernis Nokshiqi (North Macedonia) Ilire Vinca (Kosovo), Kensiwe Tshabalala (South Africa), Arben Bajraktaraj (Kosovo/Frace), Les Made (South Africa), and Bongile Gorata Lecoge-Zulu (South Africa).

Through humour and piercing performance, this exceptional cast takes you into the heart of a commission, mirroring the pain victims felt when confronting those who have committed ghastly horrors, while exposing how systems of violence break generations. It is a moving, irreverent, and aesthetically rich journey through the complexity of national acts of healing.

Marabi

Marabi

Musical Theatre Classic – “Marabi” – Returns to The Market Theatre

South Africa’s musical theatre classic, “Marabi”, makes a grand return to The Market Theatre, launching the theatre’s year-long 50th anniversary celebrations on a high note. Directed by Arthur Molepo, who was part of the original cast, the play with music that is produced by Mpho Molepo (Molepo Theatre Projects) in association with The Market Theatre runs from 19 Jan – 15 Feb 2026.

Set in the tough Doornfontein yards of the 1930s, “Marabi” tells the story of an ordinary family of first-generation black migrants to Johannesburg who have had to move to the city, leaving behind a peaceful and predictable life. Held neatly together by a wonderful musicality, the play explores love and loss, as well as how music and memory connect the past to the present.

As an adaptation of Modikwe Dikobe’s seminal book titled “Marabi Dance”, the story unfolds through the character of July Mabongo as he struggles with ancestral duty, poverty and urban life. Mabongo’s daughter Martha falls in love with Ginger George, a charismatic marabi instrumentalist, defying tradition and sparking family conflict. 

Buy Tickets

The script – originally workshopped by Junction Avenue Theatre Company – is brought to life by a nine-member cast that features Sello Sebotsane (as Mabongo), Katleho Moloi (as Ginger George) and Gabisile Tshabalala (as Martha), to mention a few.

Staged in the 140th year since Johannesburg was formed, the piece in 2026 presents an important reflection on the city’s unique cultural identity, artistic richness and movement of people. It looks into the introduction of recorded music and the exploitation of artists that followed, bearing rich reflection for the music industry, especially for up-and-coming musicians. This local classic further exposes the evils of the apartheid regime’s forced removals, which uprooted families from Doornfontein to Soweto in order to achieve its ideology of segregation.

Director Arthur Molepo calls the revival of “Marabi” during The Market Theatre’s landmark year a profound tribute to South Africa’s cultural heritage. “This is not just a classic story retold with a fresh voice and sound,” he explains. “It’s also an opportunity to bridge generations of artists, promote social cohesion and preserve our country’s musical heritage. This piece speaks to the power of music as a transcendent force, using rhythm to guide us back to our roots.”

For The Market Theatre, opening its 50th anniversary year with this uniquely South African work illustrates its proud legacy as the people’s theatre.

Greg Homann, Artistic Director at The Market Theatre Foundation, states: “Our 50th celebrations will be guided by our principles of fearless storytelling, shared ownership and programming that reflects our nation’s diversity. This work is a signature South African theatre piece that will be enjoyed by both our legacy audiences as well as new theatre-goers of any age, giving them access to a period that defined the soul of the city. It’s a perfect play to sit as our 50th Anniversary season premiere, as we look back at the past and set the tone for the future.”

Homann further notes that just as marabi rose from the hardship of one of Johannesburg’s toughest spaces to become the city’s defining cultural sound and movement, The Market Theatre too was born in the wake of one of apartheid’s darkest tragedies: June 16, 1976. “We opened our doors in the same week as the Youth Uprising, which rooted The Market to a legacy of using artistic expression to resist oppression. It feels especially fitting, then, to begin our 50th-anniversary year with a production that celebrates how music and dance have shaped our social life and created a sense of home for generations of migrants navigating a fast-paced and unfamiliar city,” he says.

Get ready to start your year with a theatrical experience that reminds us of South Africa’s true gift to the world: the power of sound, movement and storytelling.

Tickets for the show are available on Webtickets via The Market Theatre’s website, with special festive season prices at R150 available till 11 January 2026. Reduced price bookings of 4 or more and half-price Wednesdays are also on sale.

Affordable, safe and secure underground parking is available at the Newtown Junction.

                                                                                                                                      ENDS.

The Market Theatre is a Division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

 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.

For media enquiries, contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at the Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641.

Naledy’s Teddy Bear

Naledy’s Teddy Bear: Blowing the Whistle on SA’s Missing Children Crisis

To shine the spotlight on missing children, The Market Theatre Kippies Fringe presents “Naledy’s Teddy Bear” from 28 – 30 November 2025 at Kippies, Newtown. South Africa continues to experience high numbers of missing children, with statistics revealing that nearly a quarter of children reported missing in the last three years – 2 000 in total – were found. Unaccounted for, these children – typically 17 years and younger – are often presumed dead or trafficked, leaving shattered families behind.

Starring Andile Vilakazi and Ntokozo Vilakazi, “Naledy’s Teddy Bear” will be staged in line with the 16 Days of Activism Against for No Violence Against Women and Children.

Developed in 2021, the play emerged in response to a spike in missing children’s cases, giving voice to young girls and drawing attention to ongoing child and women abuse in our country. Today, its relevance is even more critical—the production sparks community dialogue and social reflection, encouraging young people to think critically about social issues.

Buy Tickets

“Using the metaphor of a missing teddy bear, the show appeals to young audiences with a powerful message that breaks down an otherwise heavy topic to entertain and educate children. This production is a beacon of hope, a call to action, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.  While the subject matter is intense, the production is crafted with care to ensure an engaging and thought-provoking experience,” said Andile Vilakazi.

The Market Theatre Kippies Fringe, which has delivered exceptional developmental works throughout the year, nears its glorious end with a number of productions scheduled for November. The month’s programming is themed around healing, reflection and renewal. This play continues to engage our collective conscience, interrogating how we treat the most vulnerable. Again, it offers affected people a moment to grieve and heal, while sharing educational information about children’s safety.

This is  a production that will leave audiences moved, inspired and motivated to act against South Africa’s worsening crisis of missing children.

Tickets are out on Webtickets for R100.

                                                                                                                                                ENDS.

Kippies Fringe is an initiative of The Market Theatre, curated by Art Cave.

The Market Theatre is a Division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

 For media enquiries, please contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at The Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641.

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

MEDEA

MEDEA: Hell Has No Fury Like a Sorceress Betrayed

Fans of theatre classics are in for a ride as The Windybrow Arts Centre stages “Medea” at The Market Theatre, an ancient Greek tragedy now reimagined for South Africa and the world’s current fractured times. Directed by Leila Henriques, the play will run from 27 – 30 November 2025 for four unmissable performances only.

The reimagined story plays out in a parched Johannesburg where water is running out. There, Jason, crushed by debt, abandons his lover Medea as he believes marrying an affluent daughter will keep his family afloat. But to Medea – a foreigner in a hostile land who is devastated by betrayal – revenge becomes the only response. Featuring an impressive young cast and teenage chorus from the Windybrow Arts Centre who embody the city’s conscience, “Medea” is an exploration of emotional dysregulation, betrayal and the cost of love in a world running dry.

Henriques says although the play was first performed in 431 BC, it still resonates with local and global dynamics, capturing the complexities of modern-day love, betrayal, obsession, immigration and gender politics. “In its essence,” Henriques elaborates, “it is a story of a breakup where the children are used as bargaining chips between the two warring parties. Adults sacrificing children for honour, wealth, power and to inflict as much pain on the other side as possible. This is relevant in the world today.

Buy Tickets

Not only in love relationships but also in global politics and wars. I was drawn to the original play by Euripides because of the relevance of its themes, but also because of its heightened language, heightened emotion that tells a domestic story of love, betrayal and survival.”

Gerard Bester, Head of The Windybrow Arts Centre, adds that “Medea” presents a reframing of marginalisation, calling for deeper understanding of each other’s lived experiences. “The work forces us to engage, in the most visceral way, what desperation can do to us to create havoc and destruction to those close to us and ourselves. How poverty and finding oneself unwanted in a foreign land can lead to this destruction. The work demands understanding, empathy and compassion for humans who perform horrific acts under the most difficult of circumstances.”

“Medea” is a collaboration between The Windybrow Arts Centre, Kwasha! Theatre Company as well as Playgroup, a multidisciplinary art collective whose interest lies in how Johannesburg is experienced through sound. Chloe Whittstock designs set and costumes, Andile Mgeyi choreographs and Themba Mthimkulu designs lighting. The cast comprises Gofaone Bodigelo, Londa Mkhize, Thingo Mcanyana, Jack Mabokachaba, Natasha Dube, Malcom Moloi, Andile Ngoboza and Privilege Ndhlovu.

Tickets for “Medea” are available on Webtickets starting from R110, with special prices for groups of four or more. The recommended age for this play is 14+.

Affordable, safe and secure underground parking is available at the Newtown Junction.

                                                                                                                                ENDS.

The Windybrow Arts Centre is a Division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

 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.

For media enquiries, contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at the Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641.

Kaza Kamba

Kaza Kamba Pan African Theatre Festival Returns to The Market for its 2nd iteration

The Market Theatre and mehlo-maya (eye-to-the-sun) have once again partnered for the four-day festival of theatre, music, workshops, film screenings and talks, curated by Bobby Rodwell and Lesego Rampolokeng. This dynamic new festival, which takes place from 06 – 09 November 2025, brings together the arts and the political discourse.

The festival features seven Southern African countries, making it a very critical cross-border initiative aimed at strengthening ties between countries. Again, it gives audiences an opportunity to immerse themselves in the stories of our sub-region.

Buy Tickets

Journey of Discovery Concert                                                    

Journey of Discovery Concert

SOUTH AFRICAN AND HONG KONG ARTISTS SET TO SHINE ON THE MARKET THEATRE STAGE IN “JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY” CONCERT

The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), is excited to present the second instalment of Journey of Discovery, a much-anticipated concert taking place at the renowned Market Theatre in Johannesburg on 24 and 25 October 2025.

This groundbreaking cultural exchange was launched following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NAC and HKADC on 2 February 2024. It gained momentum at the inaugural Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo (HKPAX) held from 14–18 October 2024, where South African and Hong Kong- based musicians captivated audiences with a unique co-created musical showcase.

As part of this ongoing initiative to promote indigenous music and celebrate cultural identities, the five South African musicians who performed at HKPAX alongside their Hong Kong counterparts will once again share the stage, this time on South African soil.

Creative and Production Team

Music Director: Ng Cheuk-yin
Musicians (South Africa): Ayanda Jiya, Mbuzeni Duncan Mkhize, Natalie Rungan, Sky Dladla, Thandeka Mfinyongo
Musicians (Hong Kong): Ngaiman, Jing Wong, Ma Wai Him

Producer: Kenny Chen

Together with their Hong Kong collaborators, these award-winning musicians will present an innovative, cross-cultural performance that bridges continents through music.

“Journey of Discovery is more than just a concert; it is a celebration of shared humanity, musical dialogue, and creative expression that transcends borders. Through this collaboration, the NAC continues to foster global visibility for South African talent while honouring the importance of cultural diplomacy and creative exchange,” says Mr Lebogang Mogoera, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the NAC.

Ms Pheon Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, a statutory body established by the government to promote the development of the arts in Hong Kong also shared her enthusiasm:

“I am delighted to witness the fulfilment of this strategic partnership with the South African National Arts Council under the helm of Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo. It marks a meaningful step forward in deepening cultural exchange and mutual understanding through the arts. As we enter the second year of the Journey of Discovery concert series, I am confident it will be even more impactful as we proudly extend our artistic footprint onto the African continent.”

Hosting the concert will be the prestigious Market Theatre Foundation. Ms Tshiamo Mokgadi CEO of Market Theatre Foundation remarked:

“We are honoured to host an event of such calibre at the Market Theatre. This partnership reflects the power of the arts to transcend borders and connect communities. Our team is working to ensure that all preparations are in place to welcome both local and international guests for what promises to be a wonderful musical experience, shared across borders.”

ENDS

Buy Tickets

The TX Theatre Hub

The TX Theatre Hub

The TX Theatre Hub x The Market Theatre Collaboration Presents the Soul of Community Storytelling

The Market Theatre has teamed up with The TX Theatre Hub in a groundbreaking collaboration intended to dismantle barriers between mainstream platforms and fringe creations, while amplifying community storytelling. As a result of this partnership, The Market Theatre is a proud host of The TX Theatre Hub @ The Market, a festival of five works running from 24 – 28 September 2025. The festival boldly aims to present new and existing works by emerging and established voices, nurture talent and connect traditional narratives with contemporary expressions for the viewing pleasure of audiences.

For five days, the festival promises five compelling productions, comprising of comedy, drama, and puppetry. The works include Masai Sepuru’s ‘Dark Magic’ and Moruti Abednigo Dlamini’s ‘Stevovo the Puppeteer’,  ‘Madi Phatleng’ by Solly Ramatswi, ‘Chasing Laughter’ by Isaac Sithole, as well as ‘Behind Van Vuuren’s Farm’ by Mxolisi Masilela.

Mxolisi Masilela, Founder of The TX Theatre Hub described the collaboration between The Market Theatre and the Tembisa-based theatre hub as both “timely and necessary”, elaborating: “It bridges the divide between mainstream and fringe productions, brings fresh energy to the sector, ensuring that stories born in the township reach wider audiences, while affirming their place in the national cultural conversation.”

Dark Magic:

Buy Tickets

Stevovo the Puppeteer :

Buy Tickets

Madi Phatleng:

Buy Tickets

Chasing Laughter:

Buy Tickets

Behind van Vuuren’s Farm:

Buy Tickets

Masilela added that both theatres stood to benefit from this historic partnership. “The TX Theatre represents the next wave of theatre-making: daring, raw, and rooted in community. It has become a platform for young, independent artists to develop work that speaks to today’s realities, often with limited resources but unlimited creativity. This collaboration matters because each theatre needs the other. Together, they create a powerful pipeline that ensures artistic excellence is not confined by geography or resources.”

In addition to exposing audiences to authentic township stories that rarely enjoy the spotlight, the collaboration between The TX Theatre Hub @ The Market Theatre collaboration is also about sustainability and inclusivity in an increasingly vulnerable arts sector facing shrinking funding  and strong competition from alternative mediums. As they join hands, the two organisations will attempt to reimagine the relationship between mainstream and community-based theatre, and explore future fruitful partnerships.

Complementing the festival’s best-five performances are two interactive talks designed to deepen audience engagement. For the first talk, Mxolisi Masilela will join The Market Theatre Foundation’s Artistic Director, Greg Homann, in discussing the intersection of theatre, history and activism. The second talk will be a reflection session on the dominant themes emerging out of the festival, giving audiences intimate access to the stories. All talks are free of charge.

Greg Homann highlighted the investment made by The Market Theatre Foundation in empowering community-based creatives, a legacy of nearly 50 years.

“The Market Theatre Foundation regards fringe theatre as the future of storytelling. We have chosen to collaborate with The TX Theatre Hub who are doing immensely important work in amplifying the often unheard voices in our communities. This partnership is a continuation of the longstanding investment we have made in developing the next layer of South African theatre, creating new entry level opportunities, empowering young theatre-makers with meaningful creative roles and introducing fresh voices to our loyal audiences. We have done this in the past through initiatives such as the decades-old Zwakala community theatre festival and our recent introduction of Kippies Fringe, which allow us to maintain our legacy as a crucible for fearlessly honest performances,” Homann said.

As The TX Theatre Hub @ The Market  approaches, township stories that are often staged first in small community venues will now stand on the same platform that has propelled many of South Africa’s greatest stage plays. This visibility will go a long way in demonstrating that township-born creativity is central and not tangential to the country’s artistic future, sustainability and relatability.

The TX Theatre Festival is also supported by the National Arts Council (NAC) and the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.

Don’t miss the heart and soul of township storytelling, from 24 – 28 September 2025 at The Market Theatre. Tickets are available on Webtickets for R140 per show, with weekend day passes priced at R200. Buy one get one free special for the first 21 tickets per show applies.

Affordable, safe and secure underground parking is available at the Newtown Junction.

ENDS.

The Market Theatre is a Division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

 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.

For media enquiries, contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at the Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641.

 

INTSUSA Examines the Impact of SA’s Mining History on Women

INTSUSA Examines the Impact of SA’s Mining History on Women

Aviwe Dasha in Partnership with The Art Cave and The Market Theatre Kippies Fringe present INTSUSA, a bold storytelling production written and performed by Aviwe Dasha.

Running from 4 – 7 September 2025, INTSUSA is a powerful storytelling drama directed by Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi and Tshepo Matlala. The show offers a deeply personal yet universal exploration of memory, womanhood and the generational impact of South Africa’s mining history.

Through intimate storytelling, song and physical theatre,  INTSUSA journeys into how the lives of forefathers who worked in the mines left lasting scars that continue to shape generations of men today. At the same time, it shines a light on the resilience, pain and healing carried by women across time. The production is a searing confrontation of the past and a moving act of hope—an invitation to imagine healing in the present.

First performed at the HerStory Festival (Soweto Theatre, 2022) and later at the Yes Let’s Experimental Festival (2023), INTSUSA has evolved into a landmark work of South African storytelling. It blends theatrical poetry with spiritual elements, asking urgent questions about trauma, memory and community renewal.

Buy Tickets

Aviwe Dasha is a graduate of The Market Theatre Laboratory’s prestigious full-time performance programme, where she refined her craft in theatre and the performing arts. During her training, she collaborated with celebrated theatre practitioners such as Mongiwekhaya (SkullKandy) and Nondumiso Msimanga (Theatre Think Tank), gaining invaluable experience in diverse creative processes.

A dynamic and versatile performer, Aviwe’s talents span both acting and movement. Her passion lies in pushing the boundaries of storytelling and creating bold, innovative work through international collaborations.

Most recently, from January to March 2025, she directed Threads as part of the National Children’s Theatre’s Young Director’s Festival, further establishing her as an artist with both performance and directorial vision.

ENDS.

Kippies Fringe is an initiative of The Market Theatre, curated by Art Cave.

The Market Theatre is a Division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

For media enquiries, please contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at The Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641.

IsiWula                                                     

IsiWula

Following its powerful debut as a 12-minute isiZulu piece at the 12/12 Live Festival by POPArt, isiWula returns as a full-length theatrical experience that confronts love, betrayal, and survival in rural KwaZulu Natal. Written by Samukelisiwe Khuzwayo and directed by the award winning Aalliyah Zama Matintela, this intimate two hander stars Mncedisi Hadebe and Nolwazi Qwabe in a searing exploration of fractured dreams and buried truths.

Set in a modest village home lit by oil lamps and shadowed by unspoken truths, the play unfolds over a single night. A married couple, once tethered by love, now navigate the fragile terrain between truth and illusion. As the hours stretch, so do the fault lines,  loyalty is tested, betrayal lingers in the air like smoke, and the lies they’ve lived with begin to unravel.

isiWula does not shout its themes, it whispers them, drawing the audience into a world where the most intimate wounds are inflicted not by violence, but by absence. It’s a meditation on what remains unsaid, and what it costs to finally speak.

Show Dates

Performances will take place at the Market Theatre’s Kippies Fringe on the following dates and times:

25 September at 19:30

26 September at 19:30

27 September at 15:30 and 19:30

28 September at 15:30

Audiences can expect a raw, poetic exploration of fractured intimacy, set against the backdrop of a dimly lit village home. With its blend of physical theatre, satire, and protest driven storytelling, isiWula offers a gripping reflection on gender politics, abandonment, and the fragile hope of reconciliation.

 Creative Team

  • Writer: Samukelisiwe Khuzwayo – A rising voice in South African theatre, blending script development experience savvy with raw emotional storytelling
  • Director: Aalliyah Zama Matintela – Known for her protest driven, satirical style and award winning productions like Currently (G)Old! and Marose
  • Performers: Mncedisi Hadebe – A dynamic actor/director with credits across Brazil, Germany, and South Africa, including Naledi nominated works and Nolwazi Qwabe – A versatile performer and voice artist, celebrated for her work in Mehlala and iNtombi’nto.

Why isiWula Matters

“isiWula is not just a story it’s a mirror. It reflects the quiet violence of abandonment, the resilience of women, and the fragile hope that love might still survive the wreckage,” says director Aalliyah Zama Matintela.

With its poetic dialogue, haunting silences, and moments of unexpected tenderness, isiWula invites audiences to sit in the discomfort and beauty of what it means to truly come home.

Buy Tickets