Rounding off its Heritage Month line-up of productions, Durban’s innovative Stable Theatre will present the Durban University of Technology’s acclaimed production of SBL Mbatha’s Zulu drama, Nawe Mbopha KaSithayi (“You Too, Mbopha, Son of Sithayi”) for two performances only, on 28 and 29 September
Directed by DUT lecturer, Siza Mthembu, and choreographed by DUT dance luminary, Mdu Mtshali, the play is built on the drama of King Shaka’s life, and deals with his death at the hands of his assassins, his half-brother Dingane, and another half-brother, Mhlangana, assisted by a servant, Mbopha.
“We live in a world full of power-hungry people,” writes director Mthembu in his programme note to the play. “We also live in a society where politicians do not leave the ‘throne’ or high positions without putting up a fight. Shaka Zulu, the son of Senzangakhona, born outside of marriage, became King after his father’s death. Shaka achieved this through the help of his aunt, the Princess Mkabayi KaJama. However, Shaka later became too powerful and started attacking other clans like Mzilikazi, abaSwati and the Sotho’s. Mkabayi did not like this; she then persuaded Shaka’s chief adviser, Mbopha KaSithayi, to have Shaka killed in order for Dingane, Shaka’s half-brother, to be king.”
“Dingane was a younger son of Chief Senzangakhona. His mother, Mpikase, was Senzangakhona’s sixth and ‘great wife’. Shaka, the son of the third wife, also laid claim to the chiefdom, but was disowned by his father. But Shaka seized the Zulu chieftainship in 1816, and thereafter extended the Zulu Kingdom. On 22 September 1828, Dingane and another half-brother, Mhlangana, assisted by a servant Mbopha, assassinated Shaka. Soon afterwards, Dingane had Mhlangana murdered. Dingane became the new Zulu ruler, and reigned until 1840. Dingane moved the royal homestead from Nobamba in the emaKhosini valley to a new inland location which he called Mgungundlovu….”
“We are delighted to welcome DUT’s production to our stage,” says Stable Theatre Centre Manager, Thanduxolo Zulu. ”The performances of Nawe Mbotpa KaSithayi are in line with Stable Theatre’s policy of providing a platform for performance departments of our tertiary institutions to reach a broader public, encouraging all upcoming artists to take this place as their home.”
Nawe Mbopha KaSithayi features a cast of 35 committed young performers, headed by Thandanani Qwabe as Shaka, with Aphiwe Namba as Mbopha KaSithayi and Mayenziwa Zuma as Mkabayi KaJama. Performances take place on September 28 and 29 at 18h00.Tickets R40 booked through Computicket or purchased at the door before each performance. More information on 031 309 2513.
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