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New Children’s Comedy Brings Recycling to Life on Stage

Phephanepeni in association with The Art Cave and The Market Theatre presents Zweli and the Lemon Seed, a new interactive comedy piece written and directed by Philile Ntimbane. Showcasing at the Kippies Fringe from 30 July to 2 August 2026, Zweli and the Lemon Seed tells the story of Zweli, a mischievous township boy with low grades and a reputation for being naughty. His parents send him to his grandmother’s house for the holidays to give everyone a break. At his gran’s, there is no Wi-Fi, no fast food and none of the things Zweli is used to back home. What he finds instead is a farmer who teaches him about nature, farming, recycling, anti-littering and the consequences of illegal dumping.

The lessons turn out to be exactly what he needed to improve his school marks. The play breaks the fourth wall and invites the audience to actively participate, offering their own recycling solutions during the performance. Using minimal props and contemporary movement, the work creates a joyful experience that leaves children with lessons they carry long after the curtain comes down.

In a world where environmental issues are impossible to ignore, this play meets young audiences where they are and gives them something to act on.

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“There is a real gap in children’s theatre in South Africa,” says Ntimbane. “Many children love live performance, and educational theatre helps them hold on to important lessons long after the show ends. I am passionate about going green and protecting our planet. These are global issues, and this play is my way of bringing them to life for young people.”

Philile Ntimbane is a playwright, scriptwriter and theatre producer with 16 years of experience in the South African arts industry. She holds an Honours degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Diploma from Durban University of Technology. She has a background in youth development and community arts, having worked within leading theatre institutions including Joburg City Theatres and The Playhouse Company in Durban. In 2023, she founded Phephanepeni (Pty) Ltd, a creative arts company focused on arts, culture and community development.

With a passion for arts education and experience working with schools and young audiences, Ntimbane has a deep understanding of how to connect with children and youth through storytelling and performance. Her works include Democrazy, a satirical play about South African democracy, following which she was invited as a playwright and collaborator to the 17th Drama for Life Conference and Festival at the University of the Witwatersrand in October 2025, as part of the Paper Series on Satire and Social Reflection in South African Theatre.

Zweli and the Lemon Seed was written by Philile Ntimbane and was part of the BASA Grant 2.0 pilot programme, which took place in Ngwelezane Township, north of KwaZulu-Natal.

Throughout its run, children will laugh, engage and leave with lessons they will never forget. Bring the whole family to Zweli and the Lemon Seed at Kippies from 30 July to 2 August 2026. Tickets are R100 on Webtickets. Bulk tickets can be purchased at The Market Theatre box office: 4 tickets at R350 and 8 tickets at R670.

ENDS

The Kippies Fringe is an initiative of The Market Theatre, a division of The Market Theatre Foundation.

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