The Mending Broken Hearts Tour is more than a concert series. It is a journey through the full arc of Manana’s career, from the raw vulnerability of his 2020 debut EP In the Beginning Was the End, through the tender longing of the 2022 EP But Could the Moments in Between, and culminating in the rich, healing soundscape of his 2024 debut album Our Broken Hearts Mend and extended 2025’s offering OBHM: Full Stop, the final chapter of his acclaimed romantic trilogy. Together, these projects trace the full emotional map of love: its beginning, its complexity and ultimately, its healing.

“This trilogy has always been about the journey,” says Manana. “Heartbreak, intense love, everything in between and finally, mending. This tour is for everyone who has carried a broken heart. We’re going to mend it together.”

In a deeply special moment for long-time fans, Manana will also perform a selection of songs he has not performed live in years and which he will perform for the very last time on this tour. These performances are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the music that shaped Manana’s voice and marked the beginning of his story.

The aim of this tour is simple and profound: healing. Whether you’re navigating heartbreak, rediscovering love or simply in need of a space to feel, the Mending Broken Hearts Tour is your invitation.

Johannesburg: 18 April | John Kani Theatre, Market Theatre | 8pm | Tickets @Webtickets

Stay connected via @officialmanana across all platforms.

Our broken hearts will mend.

Through storytelling, music, and audience interaction, the piece introduces complex ideas in an age-appropriate and engaging way. Grounded in scientific research, the production challenges misconceptions about skin colour, emphasising that skin tone accounts for only 0.001% of human biological difference.

“Children are born with the innate ability to want to live, learn and adapt. If anyone can learn to look beyond small differences, to appreciate variety and value people for who they really are, it’s them,” says Dr Magona, on why the play continues to be an essential viewing for young audiences.

“Performances of Skin We Are In will allow more young people access to valuable research and ideas that already exist in the book,” she adds. “It can also inspire teachers to shift conversations around skin colour and help foster healthier attitudes.”

Gerard Bester, Head of The Windybrow Arts Centre, thanks Turquoise Harmony Institute and ASSITEJ South Africa for making sure this work reaches more audiences. “This project,” Bester continues, “will create public forums through theatre and post-performance workshops, engaging young audiences, teachers and parents, that will challenge social biases and discrimination, foster empathy and create a safe space for necessary dialogue on identity.”

For Turquoise Harmony Institute, the production forms part of its broader commitment to social cohesion and inclusive education across diverse communities. Through arts-based learning, the Institute seeks to  create safe spaces for young people to explore identity, challenge prejudice, and build empathy. The 2026 tour reflects the Institute’s ongoing work with schools to nurture dignity, mutual respect and shared humanity.

“ASSITEJ SA is proud to partner with the production in order to reach more schools and youth in Gauteng. As an organisation, our work ensures access to the arts, supports artists, empowers education and connects and advocates for the role of the arts in the lives of children and young people,” says Yvette Hardie, Director: ASSITEJ South Africa and Honorary President: ASSITEJ International Association for Theatre and Performing Arts for Children and Young People.

Hardie adds that the play will also be promoted as part of ASSITEJ SA’s Take A Child (Teen) to the Theatre Today campaign, which celebrates the World Day of Theatre for Young Audiences on 20 March each year.

Tshepo Madlingozi, Commissioner: Anti-racism, Education and Equality Office at SAHRC, says “Skin We Are In” speaks directly to the Commission’s key programmes, such as calling out for the phasing out of state racial classification, sensitivity and diversity training, Schools’ Model Code of Conduct as well as the Rights and Responsibility Campaign.

“All of the above are anchored on and inspired by our National Question Campaign, which ultimately seeks to proactively create a South Africa where everyone has a sense of affective and material belongingness. The creative arts have a pivotal role to play in this regard. As an independent constitutional body, we are humbled and honoured to join this wonderful initiative,” concludes Commissioner Madlingozi.

Don’t miss this insightful, thought-provoking piece that equips young audiences with the skills, vocabulary and psychology to embrace difference.

ENDS

The Windybrow Arts Centre is a division of The Market Theatre Foundation, 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.

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

Marking over a decade of captivating South African audiences, Berita is set to elevate her authentic Afro-soul signature to new heights with this concert. For this second edition, she will be accompanied by a dynamic 9-piece ensemble and also feature hand-picked guest artists, creating a lush musical experience designed specifically for the intimate and prestigious atmosphere of The Market Theatre.  

“This show is a homecoming for my music and my spirit,” shares Berita. “Moving into the John Kani Theatre allows us to truly honour the heart. I want to share the stories behind the songs and the moments in between that have echoed in my soul over the years.”  

Audiences can expect a meticulously curated journey through Berita’s chart-topping hits and soulful renditions of beloved classics, all reimagined for a world-class theatre stage.  

Don’t miss this once-off unforgettable night that honours your heart and echoes your soul.  

Tickets for “Echoes of the Soul” are available at Webtickets. 

Safe, secure and affordable underground parking available at Newtown Junction.  

Anchored in the conviction that a clean environment is a human right, and so is the right to live free from violence, the Festival positions contemporary dance as a catalyst for social  reflection, resistance, healing and transformation. Through performances, films, workshops, flash mobs, exhibitions and public conversations, ITROTRA–MAP confronts urgent realities of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), environmental justice, masculinity, mental health and human dignity.

 Rooted in the legacy of the ITROTRA International Contemporary Dance Festival of Madagascar – now in its 17th international edition – the South African chapter continues to strengthen Afro-global artistic exchange. The Festival brings together established and emerging artists from South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sweden, France and Germany, presenting a rich interdisciplinary programme that includes high-calibre contemporary dance and dance-theatre performances, circus and youth-focused works, dance film screenings and artist talks, professional choreographic residencies and workshops, school performances and community outreach initiatives as well as an immersive GBVF-focused visual art exhibition.  

 The Festival will open on 27 February 2026 at The Market Theatre (Barney Simon), forming part of the theatre’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The opening will launch with a powerful triple bill featuring a spoken-word performance by Kgotso Koena with live saxophone by Karabo Mohlala. Again, Moeketsi Koena will present MEKGWA – Habits (Reimagined), while Luthando Arts Academy will showcase SEHOKOLO – Missing Link.  

 International and local highlights include works by Thierry Randriatsitohaina (Madagascar), Vincent Mantsoe (France/SA), Thabiso Pule (SA), Deus Nos Acudi–Pak Ndjamena (Mozambique), Kwanele Finch (SA) and many more. 

 Selected events will be ticketed via Webtickets, Quicket and box office; many events are free entry.  

This work introduces the songstress’s creative “evolved” ego and producer tag, “Rha”, who takes centre stage in the telling of this personable, vulnerable, quirky and sensual story. “Rha!” is the South African expression usually associated with disgust. In this case, it is used as an expression of audacity, which is what expressing freely requires.

The phrase also means “places of water”. This is the code to this secret music and the secret place in all of us.

“I am a musical chameleon who is excited to share that with people. I feel anchored in all we’ve been able to collectively create and build over the years, and I feel ready to expand on that through what has been a childlike exploration and fire beneath my feet. Much of my practice involves being anchored by the discomfort that can accompany the music-making process. It is in the digging deep that I intend to express and encourage the necessary freedoms that can only emerge from being refined in that fire,” Zoë Modiga shares.

She continues, “We have cultivated a culture around the music, imaging and messaging, and now I wish to share the in-betweens, the unknowns, and ultimately the beauty in creating from that. I wish for many things; I wish to find the innocence and play that music always brought out of me from an early age. I recognise the layers and textures as they describe the multiplicity that has always existed with me. More than anything, I champion humanising myself and all my listeners with this record.”

Zoë Modiga returns to The Market Theatre during its year-long 50^th anniversary celebrations, which – among others – aim to highlight the power of music in confronting injustices and giving audiences a vocabulary of love, hope and resistance. As she lends her powerful voice to this crucial milestone, heritage meets innovation to create a legacy for the future.

Don’t miss this powerful performance on 23 April 2026 in the John Kani Theatre. Unlock “The Vault” and discover the wonders hidden within you.

The show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are out on Webtickets.

This upcoming performance will showcase a selection of Zawadi’s beloved tracks and her latest singles “Ngimuhle” and “Mama”, capturing the essence of her musical journey. Each song is infused with deep emotional resonance and cultural significance, offering listeners a unique experience.

Joining Zawadi on stage will be a stellar lineup of featured artists, including The Soil, a renowned Afro-soul band known for their harmonious vocals and socially conscious lyrics, Sindiswa Zulu, a rising star in the music scene, and a guest act yet to be confirmed, whose dynamic performances are sure to enhance the evening’s entertainment. Together, they promise to create an unforgettable atmosphere filled with vibrant energy and rich musical variety.

Tickets for the event are available now, and early booking is highly recommended given the anticipated demand. This concert provides an excellent opportunity for fans to experience live music in a captivating venue, and supports the local arts scene.

The show arrives at The Market Theatre as it marks 50 years of bold storytelling, with programming that is in part dedicated to highlighting the power of song and sound in confronting injustice and giving audiences the vocabulary of hope, love and resistance.

Zawadi Yamungu invites music lovers of all backgrounds to join her on this special night, as she celebrates the power of music to connect communities and uplift spirits. This performance at The Market Theatre is not just a concert; it’s a celebration of culture, unity and the enduring beauty of African music.

Tickets for Ngimuhle Album Tour are out on Webtickets.

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.

“This show is a homecoming for my music and my spirit,” shares Berita. “Moving into the John Kani Theatre allows us to truly honour the heart. I want to share the stories behind the songs and the moments in between that have echoed in my soul over the years.”

Audiences can expect a meticulously curated journey through Berita’s chart-topping hits and soulful renditions of beloved classics, all reimagined for a world-class theatre stage.

Don’t miss this once-off unforgettable night that honours your heart and echoes your soul.

Tickets for “Echoes of the Soul” are available at Webtickets.

Safe, secure and affordable underground parking available at Newtown Junction.

It is directed and choreographed by Emma Crystal, with musical direction by Dr. Ashley K. Davis.

The show arrives at The Market Theatre as part of Black History Month, which marks its 100th year in 2026. The centenary calls for an honest reflection on memory, healing, culture, as well as the condition and position of Black bodies in an increasingly divided world. This milestone coincides with The Market Theatre’s 50^th anniversary, a powerful connection that presents a rich opportunity for representation and amplification of unheard voices.  

In addition, this month-long international engagement arrives in South Africa in the 70th anniversary of the historic 9 August 1956 Women’s March, putting a much needed spotlight on Black women’s struggles across the world and highlighting the shared challenges we face.

Playing alongside South Africa’s musical theatre classic “Marabi”, this curated season of musical work at The Market Theatre celebrates the influence of song and sound across the USA and South Africa in confronting injustice and giving oppressed people a vocabulary of resistance and hope. 

Founder and CEO of Hattiloo Theatre, Ekundayo Bandele, and Artistic Director of The Market Theatre Foundation, Greg Homann, highlight the common histories between the two theatres in staging socially engaged works that prick at their respective nations’ collective conscience.

“From South Africa to the U.S., generations of oppressed people have sung their way up against discrimination, racism, subjugation and dispossession as an unstoppable wave. This year as we proudly present ‘Blues in the Night’ for its African premiere, we also celebrate music’s  ability to remind us of our shared humanity despite our fractured times,” shares Homann.

“The centenary of Black History Month finds us at a crossroad as a nation, as we interrogate the various histories that have shaped our democracy. In the local context, ‘Blues in the Night’ is a commemoration of the courage of the women of 1956, the fearless spirit of the youth behind the 1976 uprisings and the brave hearts who bared themselves open at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in pursuit of justice 30 years ago. As The Market Theatre celebrates 50 years of artistic excellence, it does so not only as a crucible for South African theatre, but also a stage that shaped the country’s cultural identity.”

Ekundayo Bandele is excited about the upcoming season in Africa. “Taking ‘Blues in the Night’ to The Market Theatre in Johannesburg is an incredible honour for Hattiloo. I’m deeply proud to share our work on an international stage and to create a moment where Memphis artists can carry our stories, our sound, and our spirit across the world,” he says.

This cultural intersection between the two socially conscious theatres will also see a South African production travel to Memphis this year for a season. This, states Homann, is in line with The Market Theatre’s approach to international collaboration, aimed at ensuring that partnerships benefit local talent.

Don’t miss this wonderful chance to enjoy the best of Memphis talent at The Market Theatre for a powerful celebration in February of music, history and heritage.

                                                                                                                                         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.