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.

The story follows the tranquil village of Hlanzeka, where the bonds that knit this community quickly begin to fray when residents discover that their lives and homes lie directly in the path of a planned new coal mine. With courage and relentless faith, an environmental defender known as ‘Mam Nomsa’ (portrayed by Mpume Mthombeni) leads the charge against the land-hungry mine and fosters a fragile resistance to defend her home, history and ancestors. 

Churches, school halls, fields and kitchens become her battle grounds, while bees, birds, elephants and a faithful dog guide her way as she tries to unite her people against the destruction masked as progress that wears an all too familiar face. Worn down by the might of the system, soon the growl of machines reverberates across the same valley, poisoning the hearts and minds of the people of Hlanzeka along with their water and land. Her community, too, rejects her defence of their land, seeing her instead as standing in their way to prosperity.

“Her community,” states co-writer and director Neil Coppen, “are not united and she must confront corrupt traditional leaders, mounting threats to her family’s safety, and the bitter irony of being declared an enemy of the very people whose lives and land she is fighting to preserve. Joined by a puppeteered elephant matriarch called Ndlovukazi, their journeys pose urgent questions about who decides what progress looks like. What is the cost of development when the dead are displaced along with the living? And who becomes the ‘enemy’ when truth threatens power?”

The highly anticipated brand new production features an incredible cast of twelve, led by Mpume Mthombeni, Tony Miyambo, Billy Langa, Minenhle Skhosana, Zesuliwe Hadebe and Sabelo Sekgoto. It is co-written by Neil Coppen, Tony Miyambo, Mpume Mthombeni and Dr Dylan McGarry and directed by Coppen, with original music, score and choreography by Nhlanhla Mahlangu, set and puppetry design by Dylan McGarry and Craig Leo. Puppetry direction by Craig Leo, lighting design by Tina le Roux and sound design by Tristan Horton. Additional musical and sound elements by Guy Buttery.

Greg Homann, Artistic Director of The Market Theatre Foundation, says this hard-hitting musical drama is set in KZN but bears profound resemblance of the 140-years-old history of Johannesburg, a city built on the gold rush, migrant labour towards the mines and forced removals to make space for industry.

“As The Market Theatre celebrates 50 years of bold storytelling, welcoming this strongly relevant play continues on our legacy as a  performance space renowned for being unafraid to take on difficult subjects in beautifully crafted theatrical ways, holding the powerful accountable and amplifying bold voices such as those of environmental defenders. We’re overjoyed that the production – with its strongly aligned themes – sits with us in our crucial anniversary year,” remarks Homann.

The play has been devised by the award-winning KZN-based company Empatheatre whose multiple Naledi Theatre Awards winning work “Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater” as well as “The Last Country” had a run at The Market Theatre in 2024 and 2025 respectively.

The theatre project is supported and made possible by The Naia Trust, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Collaboration of Humanities and Social Sciences in Europe (CHANSE),  Humanities in the European Research Area (HERA), groundWork,  Rhodes University and the University of Southampton.

Don’t miss this bold new piece as it premieres at The Market Theatre. Tickets are available on Webtickets, with special prices for preview performances and half-price Wednesdays.

ENDS.

The Market Theatre is a Business Unit 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.

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.