(A scene from “We Salute Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today)Philisiwe Sithole reviews one of the productions on the Phambili Festival
Appearing on the recent Phambili Youth Theatre Festival held at Stable Theatre, We Salute Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today was written by Xolani Dlongolo and directed by Dlongolo, Sthembiso Zwane and Brian Mbanjwa. Performed by Ubuntu Arts Developments, the cast included nine vibrant and energetic actors.
The play is about the celebration and commemoration of The Struggle which women of South Africa faced in 1956 when they marched courageously to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. We Salute Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today is a vibrant song and dance performance done in a very disciplined and interesting manner, keeping the audience intrigued by the harmony of voice, movement and marching.
The play begins with soldiers sneaking under a cloth to hold a meeting on how to continue with the mission at hand. A female leader of the group (Nondumiso Mfeka) is reviving the spirit of the comrades to fight for freedom and the right to protect the country. A change of light transports us to an open field used for training soldiers. The rest of the story is being told in a flashback of women marching and facing the police. This leads to the confession of a female soldier on how she lost her mother in The Struggle. In a clear, coherent and precise voice (Noxolo Mathula) commands the soldiers, delivering a beautiful disciplined performance.
While protest theatre is normally approached in a predictable and uncreative way, this production offered a sense of freshness. It has growth potential and the actors performed as a team, sharing a great energy. It was indeed a joy to watch. – Philisiwe Sithole
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