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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.

An installation speaking to the history of Pan Africanism opens on Thursday, 04 September in The Market Theatre’s Lindelani Buthelezi Gallery, setting the tone for the festival.

Mainlining at the festival is “Lyrics Unchained on website / webtickets”, in which South Africa meets Zimbabwe meets Lesotho in a blend of poetry and percussion, featuring poets Matodzi Ramashia (Makhafula Vilakazi) from South Africa, Mercy Dhliwayo (sista x) from Zimbabwe, naledi chai (zeph) South Africa and Lesotho’sThabiso Mohapeloa (Tha Hymphatic Thabs). Musicians Louis Mhlanga (Guitar) and Gontse Makhene (Percussion) join the production, hosted by poet Lesego Rampolokeng.

BUY TICKETS BELOW:

Kaza Kamba Festival LYRICS UNCHAINED : https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1577437811

Kaza Kamba Festival Setimo Juramento: https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1577431186

Mozambican Producer Joaquim Matavel of Grupo de Teatro Girassol brings “Setimo Juramento / Seventh Oath”, written by Paulina Chiziane and directed by Ramadane Matusse. Paulo Jamine plays a character who traverses dark worlds in search of a new global identity – one that offers wellbeing, social justices and love – through storytelling, poetry and movement, offering provocations for a better world. The piece is in Portuguese, with English sub-titles.

Workshops over the four days include a performance dance workshop, “Barena: Reimagined” by Smangaliso Ngwenya, “Finding My Voice, Speaking My Truth”, Directing for Theatre by Liatile Mohale of Lesotho, a dance workshop on gender based violence, “Still We Dance” by choreographer Gaby Saranouffi from Madagascar, the Somatic Library workshop on voice by Mpho Malesa and Gifter Ngobeni, and “gubhu seNtshomi (Djembe of Stories)”. There will also be a workshop for young people, facilitated by Sibusiso ‘Vonde-r’ Fihlani, and one for the very young, our Baby Corner, for adults who wish to attend workshops or films.

 

Our films are: “Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat” [2024], a film by Johan Grimonprez that examines the political machinations behind the 1961 assassination of Congolese leader, Patrice Lumumba and “Dying for Gold” [2018] that focuses on the impact of Gold Mining in the SADC region, produced by Richard Pakleppa and Catherine Meyburgh. There will be panel discussions with the screenings of both documentaries.

A film showing and discussion on the situation in Sudan will be held by members of Sudanese solidarity groups.

The Kaza Kamba Colloquium this year will be held on Saturday, 08 November 2025, “Decolonising the Theatre Space” to be presented by Warona Seane, who will engage with theatre producers from the sub-region.

Our late evenings will be spent at our Kaza Kamba Pavement café in The Market Theatre Precinct, with music and an open mic and lots of lovely food and drink to purchase.

In short, there is a lot to see, experience and debate at Kaza Kamba Pan African Theatre Festival 2025.

All documentary films and workshops are FREE. Tickets for our play and “Lyrics Unchained” are on Webtickets.

There will be food and drinks for sale throughout the day, as well as stalls with books and other delights.

Come down to The Market Theatre from 06 – 09 November 2025 for a weekend of live performances, film, workshops and debate on Pan Africanism. Everyone is most welcome!

                                                                                                                    -ENDS –

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

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 or Mamello Khomongoe mamellok@markettheatre.co.za 0815729612.