TX Theatre at The Market 2026

TX Theatre at The Market 2026

The Market Theatre is proud to host the second season of Tembisa Township’s TX Theatre Hub at The Market Theatre, a four-day festival running from 23 – 26 July 2026 and comprising of five compelling, thematically rich and theatrically explorative productions.

Audiences are spoilt for choice as Masai Sepuru and Isaac Sithole return with the Naledi Theatre Award-winning Dark Magic and Standard Bank Ovation Award-winning Chasing Laughter, respectively. Mxolisi Masilela’s Adam’s Ale, also a recipient of an Ovation Award, makes a debut appearance alongside Untitled Deeds by Moruti Dlamini. Solly Ramatswi’s new work, Sinking, adds more flavour to the festival buffet.

The festival comes hot off the heels of The TX Theatre Hub’s successful showcase at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, presenting works that won the hearts of audiences.

“The first year proved that there is both an audience and a need for this platform. Returning for a second year allows us to deepen that work,” reflects The TX Theatre Hub’s Artistic Director, Mxolisi Masilela. “This partnership with The Market Theatre is about creating continuity for artists, building audiences for independent theatre, and ensuring that stories developed in townships occupy the same stages and receive the same consideration as any other work in the country. We are not simply presenting productions, we are investing in a theatrical ecosystem that values access, collaboration and artistic excellence.”

The 2026 edition also welcomes the valued support of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, who will be sponsoring a series of technical workshops for women in theatre. Starting from 23 July 2026 and running throughout the festival, the workshops will cover areas such as producing, directing, administration and technical. Participation in the workshops is free, but registration is necessary.

The TX Theatre Hub Walk from Tembisa to The Market Theatre that took place on Mandela Day functioned as a symbol that highlighted to township-based storytellers that there’s a pathway to present their work at a leading cultural institution such as The Market. It marked a long walk of roughly 40 kilometres for independent theatre-makers, where every step was a bold statement of faith for access to venues, funding opportunities and audience cultivation.

“Many creators in townships find it incredibly difficult to showcase their creations on big stages. So, our walk is essentially a movement of dreams, where the distance signifies the obstacles township-based storytellers continue to face when trying to bring productions to mainstream spaces. Having since walked the journey, we are bringing others on board to ‘show them the way’. To us, this is not just an exercise but a transfer of knowledge, mentorship and inspiration,” Masilela states.

Greg Homann, Artistic Director at The Market Theatre Foundation, speaks with excitement about the return of The TX Theatre following a successful inaugural run in 2025, saying this continued collaboration further affirms The Market Theatre’s commitment to community-based storytelling, amplifying voices, creating access, and blurring the lines between so-called independent spaces and mainstream platforms.

“We’re looking forward to having The TX Theatre Hub with us again. This partnership is significant to us as it brings us closer to the communities and stories often limited only by resources and access. The Market Theatre, across five historic decades, has cemented itself as a home to the South African story in its complexities. Through our continued work with The TX Theatre, we’re reassuring community theatre-makers that The Market Theatre is a space where they – and their stories – can find an artistic home.”

Don’t miss this year’s instalment of The TX Theatre Hub at The Market Theatre for award-winning, socially engaged and entertaining storytelling created with the heart, soul and authenticity of the township.

Tickets for the festival are available on Webtickets.

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.

 

SINKING

In Sinking, written by Solly Ramatswi and directed by Moruti Dhlamini, a born-free revisits the memories in his blood. There are living shadows of his (great) grandmother and grandfather to aid him as he interrogates the times of apartheid. The journey starts with a remembrance of who we are – or more accurately, who our (great) grandparents were – and heads to the war zones where his grandfather disappeared. We see a name get buried when a body is not found; his absence is used as a telescope looking into the past and the future.

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DARK MAGIC

Written and performed by the award-winning poet Masai Sepuru, Dark Magic is a powerful celebration of African spirituality, delving into its rich history and its profound influence on the global medical industry and spiritual institutions. Through an evocative blend of prose, poetry and music, Masai leads audiences on a journey into a world of mystery, ancestral wisdom and wonder. This work invites deep reflection, sparking conversation and urging audiences to reimagine and challenge dominant perspectives.

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CHASING LAUGHTER

Chasing Laughter is a gripping drama exploring hate, guilt and grief. It follows a man driven by irrational desires, haunted by his past, where power blurs justice and destruction. His descent into madness warns that even justified acts can have unforgivable consequences. Through redemptive transitions and phenomenal storytelling, it confronts the darkness within and poses profound, unsettling questions. Age Recommendation 16LV

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ADAM’S ALE

Adam’s Ale is a powerful one-man theatrical work that explores the complexities of identity, masculinity and loss within contemporary South African society. At the heart of the story is a young man – Letswai – navigating the uncertain space between boyhood and manhood, grappling with what the rite of passage into manhood truly means and whether the expectations placed upon him align with his own understanding of himself.

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UNTITLED DEEDS

In a desolate land built from tin cans and plastic scraps, survival is a daily act of resistance. There is no water, electricity or any promise of service or care. Only the Law: a merciless system that forces citizens to move endlessly, evicted from one settlement to the next without reason or warning.

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Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty

Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty

⭐ Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty has arrived in Johannesburg! This beloved tale is brought to life with classical dance, stunning choreography, and beautiful glow-in-the-dark costumes. Get your tickets for Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show in Johannesburg!

re🎵 Created by María Farelo and Cristian Pérez of Luma Artistas S.L.
✨ Looking for more magic? Check out other Ballet of Lights shows in Johannesburg

General Info
📅 Dates and times: select your date & time directly in the ticket selector
📍 Location: John Kani Theatre – The Market Theatre, 138 Lilian Ngoyi St, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
⏳ Duration: approx. 60 minutes (doors open 30 mins prior to the start time, late entry is not permitted, and there is no interval)
👤 Age requirement: Age requirement: 5+. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
♿ Accessibility: the venue is wheelchair accessible
❓ For more information, please consult the FAQs of this experience here

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We recommend you arrive early ✨ If you would like to book a private show or buy tickets for a large group (30+ people), click here

Description Step into a world where light and dance intertwine in this breathtaking retelling of Sleeping Beauty. As dancers glide across the stage, their illuminated costumes create a dazzling display of color and light, making every twirl and leap feel otherworldly. This isn’t just a ballet show—it’s a magical experience that brings a beloved classic to life in a way you’ve never seen before. Get your tickets now for Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show in Johannesburg!

A GOOD HOUSE

Prejudice and Privilege Collide in Amy Jephta’s A GOOD HOUSE

The Market Theatre presents A Good House, a thrilling and comedic hit play written and directed by award-winning contemporary playwright, writer and director, Amy Jephta.

The play first premiered at the Royal Court Theatre and Bristol Old Vic (United Kingdom) in 2025 in association with The Market Theatre, where it earned rave reviews for being a “superb social satire” (The Guardian) that is “excruciatingly funny” (Financial Times) in its “worthy exploration of prejudice and privilege” (LondonTheatre).

This internationally acclaimed South African play of biting satire now arrives in Jo’burg as a fully home-grown production, running from 6 – 30 August 2026 at The Market Theatre.

In the quaint suburban community of Stillwater, a mysterious shack springs up from the dust with the inhabitants nowhere to be seen. As speculation abounds, Black residents “Sihle” (portrayed by Nhlakanipho Manqele) and “Bonolo” (played by Lesoko Seabe) are recruited by their white neighbourhood to be the face of a campaign to demolish the shack.

Christine van Hees, Mary-Anne Barlow, José Domingos and Conrad Kemp complete the impressive cast of this piercing work.

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At its core, A Good House is about a couple who discover the limits of good neighbourliness and what is required to fit in. This play – which Jephta was nominated for the prestigious international Susan Smith Blackburn Prize that honours women+writing for the stage – is full of wit, humour, insight and exhilarating tension.

Jephta describes the work as a provocative exploration of the meaning of place, the contradictions of belonging and definitions of community. While complex class dynamics and race relations play out behind high walls, the play raises questions of land, the housing crisis, transformation and racism with tongue-in-cheek honesty.

“These are the shifting terrains that my characters grapple with. The creation of the Black middle class is often spoken about as a post-apartheid policy success, gauged in terms of upward mobility, proximity to whiteness and by implication distance from their often haunted backgrounds. What we haven’t openly interrogated, at least theatrically, is what that kind of assimilation truly costs in the face of long-held prejudices and opportunities conditioned on polishing identities.”

Jephta hopes that the work will live beyond the gated community it’s set in, adding to the ongoing conversation about how the nascent Black middle class – like the couple in the play – find themselves constantly “negotiating their Blackness in spaces where they’re often the first, and indeed only, ones of their kind”.

The Market Theatre Foundation’s Artistic Director, Greg Homann, expresses great excitement and anticipation for A Good House’s South African premiere in the 50th birthyear of The Market Theatre.  

“For us, this work makes the key point that community cannot be understood simplistically. It is much more complex, storied and deeply interconnected in tense but also hearty ways. Through the lens of just one suburb, this play peels the layers off amid raging debates about place and belonging. This is the kind of work that questions who is deemed an outsider and who has the inherent right to claim a piece of land as their home,” Homann says.

Don’t miss this hilarious, joyful and richly themed story of how we live next to each other, how neighbourhoods become communities and how communities make societies. Catch A Good House from 6 – 30 August 2026 at The Market Theatre.

with special discounts for the preview performance, for groups of four or more, and with all Wednesdays at half-price.

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

ENDS.

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

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

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

The Market Theatre’s 50th Birthday Weekend: A Celebration of the South African Story

The Market Theatre’s 50th Birthday Weekend: A Celebration of the South African Story

The Market Theatre Foundation is excited to announce The Market Theatre’s 50th birthday weekend celebrations, running from Friday, 19 June – Sunday, 21 June 2026 at The Market Theatre in Newtown. The anniversary festival will comprise a special performance entitled “Let’s Meet at The Market”,  exhibitions, surprise appearances, a wall with the names of people who have shaped the Theatre, talks as well as a brand new play acknowledging the historic week in which the theatre opened in June, 1976.

Each of these activities stand as a touchpoint inviting audiences to feel and be a part of the Theatre’s 50-year-strong internationally renowned legacy.

Tshiamo Mokgadi, Chief Executive Officer at The Market Theatre Foundation, describes the 50th birthday weekend as not just a calendar milestone, but a celebration of 50 years of culture-shifting storytelling, fearless resistance and giving a voice to authentic South African stories.

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“As we look back, we reflect not only on the powerful works that have played on our stages, but the people who have turned our space into a dynamic, diverse and truly South African experience. This institution was not built by infrastructure alone; it has always stood on the unbending backs of many individuals, institutions and corporates whose names line the walls on the boards in our foyer.”

Artistic Director, Greg Homann, adds that the weekend programme is framed as a celebration of the South African story, complex and nuanced as it is.

“We have curated the whole birthday weekend experience not only in memory of the past, but as a commitment that The Market Theatre will always be home to the South African story in as authentic a way as possible, told by voices from all backgrounds. This is what has made The Market Theatre so resilient, so agile, and so important for us as a country, and the world, across the decades.”

Below is a full line-up of activities:

Let’s Meet at The Market – John Kani Theatre

Let’s Meet at The Market is a 90-minute multidisciplinary stage production created to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of The Market Theatre. It is a work told through music, movement, spoken word, archival imagery and live performance. Beginning in the old Indian Fruit Market of Newtown, the production journeys across five decades of artistic rebellion, resistance and reinvention, tracing how an abandoned market became one of the world’s most important theatres. The production is directed by Clive Mathibe.

Tickets for this once-off public performance on Sunday, 21 June 2026 are available at R50 from Webtickets. 

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50 Years Bold – Barney Simon Theatre

A series of five intergenerational conversations under the title, 50 Years Bold, will bring veteran actors, directors, writers, producers, designers, arts administrators and technical personnel into dialogue with the next generation of theatre-makers shaping the institution’s future. Curated by the Artistic Director, with guidance from Vanessa Cooke, Zane Meas, and Nthati Moshesh, the talks will reflect on the Theatre’s radical history, while engaging in conversations around artistic legacy, cultural activism, mentorship, storytelling, production innovation and the evolving role of theatre in contemporary South Africa.

The Company at The Market (Saturday 20 June: 11am)

Join Vanessa Cooke and Janice Honeyman alongside Momo Matsunyana for the first in a series of four FREE intergenerational conversations under the title, 50 Years Bold. This once-off talk shares the story of The Company – an independent group of theatre-makers – who found a home at the fruit market that grew into the internationally renowned Market Theatre that we know today.

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Artistic Directors at The Market (Saturday 20 June: 13:45pm)

Join Malcolm Purkey, James Ngcobo, and Greg Homann facilitated by Mxolisi Masilela for the second in a series of four FREE intergenerational conversations under the title, 50 Years Bold. This once-off talk with the current and past Artistic Directors of The Market Theatre shares what it is like to lead the creative life of one of South Africa’s iconic cultural spaces.

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Playwrights at The Market (Sunday 21 June: 11am)

Join John Kani, Paul Slabolepszy, and Gcina Mhlophe facilitated by Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni for the third in a series of four FREE intergenerational conversations under the title, 50 Years Bold. In this once-off conversation with current and past playwrights who have premiered their work at The Market Theatre, they share their reflections on telling the South African story through the medium of theatre.

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Actors at The Market (Sunday 21 June: 13:45pm)

Join Zane Meas, Motshabi Tyelele, Christo Davids and Kate Liquorish for the final talk in a series of four FREE intergenerational conversations under the title, 50 Years Bold. These celebrated actors of the stage and screen sit together to reflect on their journey of telling the South African story at The Market Theatre and beyond.

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The Market Theatre Foundation Exhibition – Lindelani Buthelezi Gallery

The Market Theatre Foundation Exhibition in the Lindelani Buthelezi Gallery traces the 50-year evolution of the Foundation, charting its journey from the founding of The Market Theatre in 1976 to the growth of its wider creative family. Through archival material, posters, photography and rare images, the exhibition explores the emergence of The Market Photo Workshop, The Market Theatre Laboratory, and the addition of The Windybrow Arts Centre, revealing how each space and programme now contributes to shaping South Africa’s cultural landscape.

The exhibition is free. No reservation required.

Vision / Voice / Legacy Exhibition

This is a contemporary visual arts exhibition celebrating the icons, voices and cultural architects who continue to shape South Africa’s future. The exhibition brings together sixteen contemporary artists commissioned to create original works inspired by some of South Africa’s most influential cultural figures. The exhibition explores the intersection of legacy, identity, leadership, activism, sport, music, fashion and popular culture while creating an intergenerational conversation between the heroes of today and the dreamers of tomorrow. In partnership with the Riky Rick Foundation, the exhibition embraces the spirit of artivism—the intersection of art, culture and social impact. The featured icons include Ricky Rick, Thuso Mbedu, Anele Mdoda, Trevor Noah, Zozibini Tunzi, Julius Malema, Black Coffee and more.

The exhibition is free and open all day from 08 – 29 June 2026 at The Market Theatre.

RISE ’76 – Mannie Manim Theatre

The Market Theatre has teamed up with the Baxter Theatre to co-produce a brand new play, RISE ’76: The Story of June 16th,  that honours the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising – a milestone that coincides with the week in which The Market Theatre first opened its doors in 1976. It is written and directed by multi-award-winning playwright and director, Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni.

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People of The Market

People of The Market is a wall of names that honours the thousands of individuals who have shaped the life of The Market Theatre over the past five decades. From actors, directors, writers and designers to technicians, administrators, front-of-house staff and producers, the project recognises the many people whose work and presence helped build the Theatre’s legacy. The aim of the initiative is to create the most comprehensive record possible of all those who have worked for or at The Market Theatre across its 50-year history. During the birthday weekend launch and throughout the rest of 2026, digital pads will be available for the public, former staff, artists and collaborators to submit suggested names for inclusion.

The growing installation can be visited during the Theatre’s open hours.

The Market Theatre Tours

Guided tours across the birthday weekend will offer the public a rare behind-the-scenes journey through one of South Africa’s most iconic cultural spaces. Audiences will have the opportunity to explore rehearsal rooms, backstage corridors, dressing rooms, technical areas, and other hidden corners of the Theatre that many never get to see. The tours promise an intimate glimpse into the stories, creativity, and community that continue to define the theatre’s legacy.

Tours are ticketed at R20 on Webtickets and via the Box Office. 

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Food and Craft Market

An added part of our 50th  birthday weekend festivities is our two-day Food and Craft market, made possible thanks to the support of Proudly SA. Running from 10am to 9pm on Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sunday, audiences can look forward to a variety of food and crafted items, adding flavour, colour and texture to our celebrations.

The Proudly SA-supported market enhances the festival feel of an exciting weekend line-up, which includes behind-the-scenes tours, special performances, surprise guest appearances, talks, exhibitions and more. Come join us!

The two-day Food and Craft market is also a preview of The Market Theatre Foundation’s upcoming regular market days which will follow in the coming weeks, aimed at bringing together artists, designers, crafters, storytellers, food vendors and social impact entrepreneurs.

For fifty years, our stages have been the home of the South African story, fearlessly centring the rich artistic life that has shaped a nation. Join us for a special weekend-long celebration as we journey across the decades that have forged this iconic space.

ENDS

The Market Theatre Foundation is an agency of the Department of Sport, 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.

WEEKEND PROGRAMME

Saturday 20th June

 

10:30am to Close       

MTF Exhibition (Lindelani Buthelezi Gallery)

People of the Market (wall of names)

June 16th Exhibition (Mannie Manim foyer)

 

11am – 12pm             

TALK 1: 50 Years Bold – The Company at The Market

Vanessa Cooke & Janice Honeyman facilitated by Momo Matsunyana (Barney Simon Theatre)

 

12pm – 1pm               

Children of the Buffalo Thorn Tree – Market Laboratory Student Production (Ramaloa Makhene Theatre)

 

12:15pm – 1:30pm     

Guided Tour

 

1:45pm – 2:45pm       

TALK 2: 50 Years Bold – Artistic Directors at The Market

Malcolm Purkey, James Ngcobo, and Greg Homann facilitated by Mxolisi Masilela (Barney Simon Theatre)

 

3pm – 5:30pm            

Rise ’76: The Story of June 16th (Mannie Manim Theatre)

 

7pm – 9:30pm            

Rise ’76: The Story of June 16th (Mannie Manim Theatre)

 

 

Sunday 21st June

 

10:30am to Close       

MTF Exhibition (Lindelani Buthelezi Gallery)

People of the Market (wall of names)

June 16th Exhibition (Mannie Manim foyer)

 

11am – 12pm             

TALK 3: 50 Years Bold – Playwrights at The Market

John Kani, Paul Slabolepszy, and Gcina Mhlophe facilitated by Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni (Barney Simon Theatre)

 

12:15pm – 1:30pm     

Guided Tour

 

1:45pm – 2:45pm       

TALK 4: 50 Years Bold – Actors at The Market

 Zane Meas, Motshabi Tyelele, Christo Davids and Kate Liquorish (Barney Simon Theatre)

 

3pm – 4:30pm            

Let’s Meet at The Market (John Kani Theatre)

 

3pm – 5:30pm            

Rise ’76: The Story of June 16th (Mannie Manim Theatre)

Bringing the Market Back to The Market

Bringing the Market Back to The Market

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, The Market Theatre returns to its roots as a historic market that turned into an authentic space for human connection and a proud home to the South African story.

The market reimagines a historic site of exchange as a vibrant, contemporary cultural marketplace. More than a trading space, the market is a celebration of creativity, culture and community. It brings together artists, designers, crafters, storytellers, food vendors and social impact entrepreneurs from across South Africa and the broader African continent. Within this dynamic environment, makers engage directly with an audience of thinkers, activists and creatives, creating meaningful human connections beyond just transacting.

Beyond commerce, Bringing the Market Back to the Market is expected to activate the precinct as a thriving cultural hub. It creates an enabling environment for the production, exhibition and consumption of arts and culture, integrating a diverse mix of business trades with live performances and outdoor entertainment.

Dada Masilo’s Hamlet

Dada Masilo's Hamlet

The Market Theatre in association with Dada Masilo/The Dance Factory presents Dada Masilo’s Hamlet for two performances only, prior to an international tour. It will run on Saturday, 16 May at 19h00 and Sunday, 17 May at 15h00 in the John Kani Theatre. The internationally acclaimed piece first premiered at the Burgtheater, Vienna in 2024 as part of the ImPulsTanz International Festival, before touring to Kampnagel, Hamburg and deSingel, Antwerp. 

Masilo – who is best known for reinventing classics and for fusing different dance forms to create a new and exciting language – has reimagined Shakespeare’s power play as an hour-long dance theatre piece. Through the eyes of the maiden, Ophelia, the audience is invited to explore what leads to her ultimate despair. Masilo’s interpretation explores misogyny and manipulation, and attempts to make sense of Ophelia’s madness. With references to classical ballet, African dance and period dance in both choreography and music, the work is accompanied by an original score by Thuthuka Sibisi, Ann Masina, Leroy Mapholo and Mpho Mothiba. 

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This new version is led by Llewellyn Mnguni, choreographer and long-time colleague, who also plays the role of Hamlet’s mother. Aphiwe Dike continues in the role of Hamlet. 

Mnguni aims to honour Masilo’s intent, while further developing the movement’s potential. He is joined by a cast of Johannesburg-based performers from the original cast and also by dancers seconded to this season by both Joburg Ballet and Moving into Dance: Tumelo Lekana, Thando Mgobhozi and David Maluleka from Joburg Ballet; Lesego Dihemo, Wesley Hlongwane, Lucracia Magoro and Nandi Zulu from Moving Into Dance. Newcomers December Skhosana and original cast members Thuso Lobeko and Lehlohonolo Madise (as Ophelia) join the company. 

The late Masilo’s works have been performed in 30 countries and 176 cities around the world; and she received numerous accolades and awards. Her immense popularity stemmed from her ability to take inspiration from literature and ballet, and make performances accessible to all. Despite tempting offers, she chose to base herself in Johannesburg, saying it had an edge that flavoured her creations. In her Hamlet, audiences can expect less words, more dance.  

Don’t miss this powerful, electric reimagination of the classic theatre piece, as Masilo intended and Mnguni furthered it. Tickets are out on Webtickets, starting from R170. Age restriction: PG12.  

                                                                                                                                                 ENDS 

The Market Theatre is a Division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, 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, please contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at the Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za or (011) 832 1641. 

Dr Mbongeni Ngema: This is my story

Dr Mbongeni Ngema: This is my story

A much-anticipated documentary on the life and times of acclaimed theatre-maker, musician and writer, Dr Mbongeni Ngema, is set to premiere at The Market Theatre on Saturday, 30 May 2026.  Themed “Celebrating South African Heroes and Heroines”, the screening will honour the legacy of Dr Ngema as a powerful voice that spoke courageously against an oppressive regime. This moment occurs as the country marks 50 years since the June 16, 1976 Student Uprisings as well as the 50th anniversary of The Market Theatre, key historical developments bearing profound significance for post-struggle South Africa.

The documentary, which began filming as a rehearsal in 2020 in Dr Ngema’s Johannesburg home, turned out to be the last opportunity for the producers to record his life story, as he passed away in December 2023.

Although Dr Ngema narrates the greater part of the film, he is supported by interviews with other greats, the likes of former president Nelson Mandela, longest serving ANC President OR Tambo, entrepreneur Richard Maponya, legendary musician Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, international actor Dr John Kani, music composer Quincy Jones and actress Whoopi Goldberg. “Stimela saseZola” backing vocalist Mandisa Dlanga and “Sarafina” actresses Khanyo Maphumulo, Leleti Khumalo, Velephi Mnisi and Sonto Khumalo also lend their insights to make the work richer.

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The documentary goes deep into situations and incidences that shaped Dr Ngema’s life. It begins with him taking us back to the youngest memory he has about his life, which was in deep rural Zululand, sitting in front of a fire with his grandmother, who told him heroic stories about his ancestors. Dr Ngema believes it was those stories which embedded in him the talent for storytelling. From these humble beginnings, Dr Ngema went on to become an internationally acclaimed playwright, choreographer, composer and actor. Some of his notable works include plays such as “Woza Albert”, the Tony-nominated “Asinamali”, the award-winning “Sarafina”, as well as African hit song “Stimela saseZola”, to name a few.

In the documentary, Dr Ngema takes us through the rollercoaster journey of his life, inviting us into the ups and downs that refined him, and the challenges and victories that hoisted him to iconic status. But more preciously, he takes us behind the scenes on the thinking and situations behind some of his greatest works.

This work has already won Best Documentary Feature Film at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film and Television Awards and at the Umlazi International Film Festival. It has been officially selected at three International Film Festivals, namely Mashariki in Kigali, Abibitumi in Accra and the Joburg Film Festival in Johannesburg. Additionally, it has also been screened for a select audiences, including schools.

 As a concept, “This is my story” is a series of self-narrated documentaries of South African Icons telling their own stories. It is produced and directed by Lindani Mbense, a former broadcaster at the SABC.

The Market Theatre Foundation Welcomes the Appointment of Its New Council

The Market Theatre Foundation Welcomes the Appointment of Its New Council

The Market Theatre Foundation (MTF) is pleased to announce that the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Hon. Gayton McKenzie, has appointed new members to its Council in terms of Section 5(1)(a) of the Cultural Institutions Act (Act 119 of 1998).

The newly appointed Council is legislatively mandated to provide oversight and strategic direction in the implementation of the institution’s bold creative vision.

This appointment comes at a significant moment in the MTF’s history, as The Market Theatre, one of its main artistic hubs, celebrates 50 years of fearless storytelling this year. The collective expertise of this Council covers a wide range of critical competencies, spanning governance, law, research, artistic practice, community engagement and more that are integral to the success of the organisation.  

As The Market Theatre Foundation looks ahead to many more years of intentional partnerships, artistic excellence, cultural representation and community impact, we welcome the skills set the new Council comes with.

The Market Theatre’s year-long anniversary celebration will be filled with compelling productions, exhibitions, conversations and community engagement projects that will honour our past, energise our present and build on the re-imagination of our future.

The nine-member MTF Council is constituted as follows:

  • Florence Masebe – Chairperson
  • Siphe Potelwa
  • Nalini Maharaj
  • Francois Smit
  • Rami Chuene
  • Mamollo Monica Miya
  • Venessa Pretorius
  • Shenay Lottering
  • Bernedette Muthien

Tshiamo Mokgadi, Chief Executive Officer of The Market Theatre Foundation, extends her best wishes to the newly appointed Council members and looks forward to a meaningful and collaborative term ahead.

ENDS.

The Market Theatre Foundation is an agency of the Department of Sport, 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.

Afropocalypse

Afropocalypse

Imaginative and Allegorical Play – Afropocalypse – Returns to Jo’burg

The award-winning production “Afropocalypse” returns to Jo’burg after a critically acclaimed run at the 2025 National Arts Festival, where it won the festival’s highest Fringe accolade—the Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award. Running at The Market Theatre from 19 November – 7 December 2025, this energetic and hugely imaginative production follows the journey of a group of storytellers in an apocalyptic setting as they share their fables of hope and resilience.

We’re all used to apocalyptic imaginings, but what would an apocalypse in the African context look like? How would its survivors tell the story as they rise from the ruins?

Directed by Daniel Buckland, “Afropocalypse” was originally produced by The Market Theatre Laboratory as their student production in 2024. It played to sold-out runs at The Ramolao Makhene Theatre, becoming a hit and instant favourite for audiences. The fourteen-strong ensemble now present the work in their professional debut in the Mannie Manim Theatre at The Market Theatre. The brilliantly entertaining work uses physical comedy and tragic magic realism to paint a vivid and vibrant picture of the past, present and speculative future. The stories they tell are inspired by a myriad of South African voices, from Credo Mutwa to Jan Rabie, to our shared collection of modern South African myths and fables, all interwoven in a comical tapestry of catastrophe and release.

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“This is a mischievous and vibrant look at South African society through the lens of all the weird and wonderful ways it could come to an end. The show uses dynamic and joyous ensemble storytelling, with bucket loads of physical comedy, puppetry and storytelling, to paint a vivid picture of the fallibility of humankind, as well as the resilience and creativity of the human spirit. The story leans into joy and tragedy. The idea of an apocalypse is a dark subject matter and framing, the story itself is not only about that. It’s a fun, silly platform to poke fun at contemporary society and take all the delicate bits of South Africa and satirise them,” explained Buckland.

Greg Homann, Artistic Director at The Market Theatre Foundation, said staging the production is an opportunity to celebrate the journey it has gone on, highlighted by winning the highest accolade in the National Arts Festival fringe programme – the Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award. Homann further stressed that the show is a family-friendly offering perfect for winding down after a long year.

Homann adds, “This is a show young and old should look forward to watching. Its youthful energy combined with imaginative storytelling make for an entertaining, relaxing treat best enjoyed with loved ones and in groups. It’s a wonderful work, with an impressive balance of dark and more bleak moments mixed in with joy and hope.”

If you are craving theatre that’s out of this world, then “Afropocalypse” is here for that. Travel to a time yet to come and immerse yourself in stories untold.

Tickets are available on Webtickets starting from R110, with special discounts for the preview performance, for groups of four or more, and with all Wednesdays at half-price.

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

THIS IS WHO I AM

THIS IS WHO I AM

British High Commission and Windybrow Arts Centre present 

London Artists Projects

THIS IS WHO I AM

South African premiere

This Is Who I Am is a theatrical journey into Hillbrow and beyond, a place where history and present collide with contradictory illusions and dreams of a mercurial South Africa. A storied, yet troubled inner-city area of Johannesburg, Hillbrow remains a safe harbour for an ever-changing mix of iconoclasts.

Imbued with all the power and the passion of deeply personal real-life stories, ten Hillbrow artists and participants express the truth of their lived experience in their own five-hundred-word monologue in response to the title. Lives of abuse, alienation, disability, violence, and xenophobia connect in a mosaic of hope and resistance that demands justice and the right to a better future. 

This Is Who I Am is an ongoing multidisciplinary, intercultural arts platform featuring live and online performances, photo portraits, exhibitions, workshops and dialogue between artists from London Artists Projects in the UK and Windybrow Arts Centre in Hillbrow, South Africa.

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Launching as part of the G20 Culture Ministerial in South Africa, This Is Who I Am is part of UKwithSA cultural exchange and the British High Commission’s commitment to diversity and equality by drawing on the transformative power of the arts to contribute to wider access and inclusion in collaboration with local partners.

This Is Who I Am is the companion work to Jeremy Goldstein’s Truth to Power Café. Both works are inspired by the political and philosophical beliefs of Nobel Prize winning playwright Harold Pinter and his inner circle, The Hackney Gang, who included Jeremy’s late father, Mick Goldstein, and poet and actor Henry Woolf, whose original poetry bejewels the work.

“Revolutionary theatre at its best and most direct” 

Guardian on Truth to Power Café

This Is Who I Am is a London Artists Projects and Windybrow Arts Centre co-production commissioned by British High Commission South Africa with support from Canon South Africa 

Hillbrow artists and participants:

Gcebile Dlamini, Simphiwe Dube, Reneilwe Leopeng, Tshiyeya Kalombo, Minenhle Masina, Hlengiwe Masondo, Thabang Matsaung, Sandiso Mbatha, Tyson Nkala, Caleb Nyanguila

Artistic team:

Created by Jeremy Goldstein for London Artists Projects

Original score by DYSKINETIC

Co-directed by Jeremy Goldstein and Jaden Mmokwa Oratile Mosadi

Media Editor Flick Harrison 

Photo Portraits by Roger Machin and Quintin Mills 

Videography by Presley Mpofu and Sandile Daniel Radebe

Sound Recordist Tumelo Mosenogi

Behind the Scenes Photography by Kopano Lebotse

Dramaturgy and Workshop Facilitation Stacy Hardy (Creative Writing, Wits University)

Script Consultant Chris Thompson

Executive Producer 

Dr Sarah Meisch Lionetto, MBE 
Public Diplomacy – Head of Arts, Culture & Sports
British High Commission, South Africa
 

Performances contain stories of lived experience that include trauma, political stances and adult themes. 

Audience age: 14+ – parental guidance recommended

Photo: Roger Machin and Quintin Mills

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