'Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater' is a one-woman show tells the story of Zenzile Maseko, a grandmother who’s been declared legally dead by the state
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"Isidlamlilo/The Fire Eater"
This one-woman show created by Neil Coppen and Mpume Mthombeni tells the story of Zenzile Maseko, a grandmother who’s been falsely declared dead by the state.
Once a feared political assassin, Zenzile now finds herself caught between a corrupt system and a past that refuses to stay buried.
Set in a Durban women’s hostel, the show blends humour, mythology and emotional depth as Zenzile, portrayed by Mpume Mthombeni, confronts the haunting spirit of Impundulu, the Lightning Bird.
The show, which explores identity, memory and the quiet strength of women, has received multiple Naledi Award nominations and critical acclaim in South Africa and internationally.
Where: The Flipside Theatre at the Baxter Theatre.
When: Runs until Saturday, April 19. Show times differ depending on the day.
"My Children! My Africa!"
Set in a classroom in a small Eastern Cape township in 1984, Athol Fugard’s "My Children! My Africa!" explores the explosive clash between idealism and political unrest. The play follows a dedicated teacher who strives to inspire his gifted student, Thami, amid a society torn apart by apartheid and generational divides.
As tensions rise, the characters are forced to confront the stark realities of a country on the brink of revolution, leading to a heartbreaking and tragic confrontation. First staged in 1989, the play remains a powerful, timely reflection on the challenges of social change and the difficult journey toward a more just society.
Where: The Artscape Theatre.
When: Runs until April 16. Show times are at 11pm and 2pm, depending on the day.
"Fiela se Kind"
This beloved South African classic, which is based on the novel by Dalene Matthee, follows Fiela Komoetie, a coloured woman who raises a lost white child, Benjamin, as her own on a remote farm in the Knysna forest.
This story unpacks questions around race, identity and belonging in a divided society.
Where: The Playhouse Theatre, Somerset West.
When: Monday, April 14 to Thursday, 17 April. All shows start at at 7pm.
