Johannesburg, South Africa – April 2024 – The Market Theatre proudly presents the highly anticipated production of THE UNLIKELY SECRET AGENT, an award-winning play based on the extraordinary true story of Eleanor Kasrils and her courageous fight against apartheid in South Africa. Prepare to be transported into the heart of the struggle with this critically acclaimed play, running from 16 May to 2 June 2024.

Based on Ronnie Kasrils’ Alan Paton Award-winning book, the production illuminates the remarkable journey of Eleanor Kasrils. Set in 1963 Durban amidst apartheid’s turmoil, Eleanor, an unassuming bookstore worker and single mother, becomes a clandestine operative for the ANC. When her lover, Ronnie Kasrils, a wanted “terrorist,” is pursued by authorities, Eleanor confronts the brutality of the Special Branch. Arrested, interrogated, and targeted by the Security Police, Eleanor must summon all her strength to protect her comrades and plan her escape.

SKHUMBA’S WEEKEND COMEDY SPECIAL, is back by popular demand.
With the One Man Special behind him, Skhumba Hlophe is bringing the extremely successful COMEDY ENSEMBLE that will be showcased at The John Kani Theatre, Market Theatre. This tour was previously held in 2021 and received massive response. The shows that will be on display will feature himself and a crazy line up of his Comedian friends on the 12th & 13th of April 2024. This Weekend Comedy Special will be nothing short of SPECTACULAR and CRAZY FUNNY!!!

Interval: 30 minutes

No under 18’s

‘Legends Never Die’ is a concert series that pays tribute to departed South African heroes who have left an indelible mark on the very fibre of the nation. 

The series launches with the #IAmWinnieMandela musical tribute show– a creatively crafted production in honour of anti-apartheid stalwart, activist and mother of the nation, Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Even after South Africa gained freedom in 1994, Winnie was a necessary force and disruptor; a voice for the voiceless and underprivileged till the very end. Icon for social justice, equality and African pride, Winnie remains an enigmatic figure in South African society, that has influenced contemporary culture. 

With support from the City Of Joburg’s Department Of Community Development and in partnership with The Market Theatre, ‘Legends Never Die’ makes its global debut at the historic Market Theatre with #IAmWinnieMandela- a music driven production, which appropriately takes place on 2 April 2024, marking six years since Mama Winnie’s passing at age 81. 

The bold one-person play State of the National DisAster (SONDA), written and performed by Philangezwi Nxumalo, is heading to Kippies Fringe at The Market Theatre. Nxumalo, working alongside director Aalliyah Matintela is set to take audiences on an entertaining, playful and thought-provoking journey.

SONDA is a contemporary take on protest theatre, blending satire, physical comedy, and poignant storytelling to shed light on the post-Apartheid State, 30 year into South Africa’s democracy. Through a high-energy 70-minute performance, Nxumalo fearlessly confronts pressing issues such as unemployment, poor service delivery, high crime rates, an ailing education system, widespread poverty, the prevalence of incompetent public servants, and unfulfilled promises.

Drawing inspiration from iconic works like Woza Albert! (which began at The Market Theatre in 1981), Nxumalo aims to engage audiences of all backgrounds in meaningful dialogue about the challenges faced by ordinary South Africans. “My main vision with this work is to create a theatre production with broad appeal that caters to everyone,” says Nxumalo. “I’m interested in making popular theatre that tells stories of real people, tackling real issues that affect ordinary people every day”, he adds. 

This fresh one-person play reflects, in a satirical way, on the state of the South African nation, post-Apartheid.

Written as a piece of new age protest theatre, SONDA boldly tackles themes of unemployment, poor service delivery, high crime rates, a poor education system, levels of poverty, the appointment of incompetent public servants and empty promises. This piece gives a voice to the voiceless and speaks to the issues that many South Africans are experiencing.

The funny, bold, and candid 70 minute one hander is inspired by works like Woza Albert!. It uses physical comedy, miming and clowning not only to entertain but to grab attention through laughter in order to deliver a meaningful message.

Windybrow Arts Centre in association with the National Children’s Theatre presents Vote for Me.

As South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy, do the under-18s care about this historic milestone? When adults cast their vote, are they aware that they are voting for leaders who will determine the future of today’s teens? What does leadership even mean in this current moment? Teens may not have a political vote in this year’s polls, but as influencers and followers, they are voting – and leading – all the time. Every “like”, “subscribe” and “follow” is a vote of some kind – but what effects will their clicks and swipes have? 

“Vote for Me” is a new original production where teens get to construct the leader they desire, in an interactive piece presented by a powerful theatrical partnership. NCT joins together with the Kwasha! Theatre Company, Windybrow Arts Centre’s youth company, to ask serious questions in a playful way, designed to get teens talking – and taking charge! What does it mean to be a leader? Is there still a sense of trust between generations as we move into election season? 

The Zwakala Festival was started in 1992 by John Kani and the late co-founder of the Market Theatre, Barney Simon. It was initially funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. This was just after The Market Theatre Lab; the theatre’s educational arm was established in 1989. Now in its 30th year, the meaningful annual event is currently funded by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture’s Incubator Programme.

The festival is one of South Africa’s most dynamic and long-standing theatre festivals aimed specifically at community-based theatre makers. Throughout its existence its main aim is to support, platform and enhance the skills-set of writers, directors, and actors. It also trains the participants both in the creative and practical sides of producing a professional theatre piece.

Based on its original format, fieldworkers go out to community groups to develop the participants’ theatre skills and mentor the members of the chosen drama groups.

Participants are taken through workshops to polish their original scripts and acting methods. The final cohort across four productions showcase their work to the public in the Ramolao Makhene Theatre at the Market Theatre Foundation in Newtown.

Judges who are industry experts are selected to choose a winning group. The winning group is given further support and the use of the resources of the Market Theatre Foundation to realise a professional rendition of their initial work with the help of a mentor director and dramaturge.

Past winning productions include Tau directed by Momo Matsunyane (current Standard Bank Young Artist Award Winner for Theatre) and, more recently, Thabo Ramaine and Lonwabo Bhele’s Blacksmith.

Most importantly the festival aims to empower arts practitioners to create and produce local content of a high standard. This is a great platform and often propels the theatre groups to greater visibility within the sector and the broader public.

Experience the electrifying atmosphere of the 30th Zwakala Festival as we commemorate three decades of South African democracy through the lens of Development Theatre.  

Dive into our immersive lineup, starting with the enlightening Funding & Opportunity Workshops on February 23, 2024, from 13:00 to 18:00. Then, join us for a nostalgic trip down memory lane at the Opening Launch on the same day at 19:00.

Engage in thought-provoking discussions during our Panel Discussions on February 24th and 25th, 2024, from 10:00 to 12:00, where we delve into the State of Community Theatre and the rise of Alternative Performance Spaces.

Feel the pulse of creativity at our vibrant Open Mic Sessions on February 24th and 25th, 2024, from 15:30 to 17:00, hosted at the enchanting Market Theatre Lab Courtyard.

Witness theatrical innovation firsthand with three groundbreaking Theatre productions on February 24th and 25th, 2024, at 13:00, 14:30, and 17:00.

Cap off the festivities with our prestigious Festival Awards ceremony on February 25th, 2024, at 18:30, as we celebrate excellence and pay homage to the trailblazers of Development Theatre.

Curated by the visionary duo of Thami aka Mbongo (Festival Director) and Ntambo Rapatla (Festival Coordinator), and supported by the esteemed Market Theatre Foundation and the DSAC Incubator Programme, this edition guarantees an unforgettable fusion of art, culture, and community engagement.”

The Goethe-Institut’s Goethe Library Jams returns in December 2023 – this time with a three-episode weekend event featuring Kujenga, Vivacious Voices under the tutelage of Yonela Mnana and The Brother Moves On.

For this special edition of what the German institute calls “Tiny Desk Concerts but in a Joburg library”, a two-day celebration will host three collectives of some of South Africa’s most gifted artist in front of a select audience.

On 2 December 2023, The Brother Moves On celebrates a decade of its first full-length album, A New Myth. Released on 4 December 2013, a day before former president Nelson Mandela’s death (“there are no coincidences, says band leader Siyabonga Mthembu), the album was described as having “prophetic resonance” by the Mail & Guardian in its call for a “reactivated reality”.

The Market Photo Workshop Courtyard will play host to the avant-garde collective for the special 16^th episode of the Goethe Library Jams to celebrate its album’s 10^th anniversary. The group will play six tracks from A New Myth arranged by members of the The Brother Moves On

Internationally acclaimed South African artist Nolan Oswald Dennis reunites with The Brother Moves on for the special performance. Oswald Dennis designed A New Myth’s album cover and will collaborate with BJ Engelbrecht a long time collaborator and founding member of The Brother Moves On.