(Pride
Ngcobo as Queen Ntombazi, Smemezelo Xulu as King Zwide and Nonjabulo Ngcobo as
Ntombazana Zwide Princess. Pic by Val Adamson)
Stable Theatre in collaboration with Durban
University of Technology Drama Studies will present an historic drama titled uNtombazi as part of the Heritage Month
celebrations.
Written by AH Dladla and set in the 1800’s,
the play focuses on Queen Ntombazi of the Ndwandwe people, who uses dark magic
to make sure that her son Zwide becomes the most powerful king.
Ntombazi is prone to chop off the heads of
leaders of nations and use them for witchcraft. She successfully kills King
Dingiswayo of the Mthethwa clan who raised the young Shaka of the Zulu clan as
his own. The Zulus become powerful, and defeat Zwide’s men. In the end Queen
Ntombazi is defeated by King Shaka and the Zulus grow into a mighty nation.
uNtombazi is directed by DUT’s drama lecturer, Siza KaMnisi Mthembu with
choreography by dance lecturer, Mduduzi Mtshali. Musical composition is by
Aphiwe Namba, a third year drama student, and Mpilo Khumalo is trainee
director.
The cast includes second year students with
lead roles played by Pride and Nolwazi Ngcobo sharing the role of Ntombazi;
Sipho Zakwe and Simemezelo Xulu alternating as King Zwide; Sbusiso Ngcobo as
King Dingiswayo; with Kwenza Ngcobo and Lucky Gcumisa sharing the role of
Shaka.
“In hosting a production from DUT this
month, we are delighted once again to be fulfilling one of our core roles of encouraging
young people to embrace the performing arts, providing a professional platform
for upcoming young artists, and opening our doors to audiences of all ages”
says Thanduxolo Zulu, Stable Theatre Manager.
uNtombazi will be performed at Stable Theatre from September 20 to 24 at 18h00,
with a matinée performance on Sunday at 15h00. Tickets R40 (R15 students) and
booking is through Computicket on 0861 915 8000 or online at www.computicket.com.
For more information, contact Ayanda Fali at
Stable Theatre on 031 309 2513 or Lebohang Sibisi at the DUT Drama department on
031 373 2194.
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