The Department of Drama and Production Studies at the Durban
University of Technology (DUT) will stage Lindinkosi Mbatha’s Nawe Mbopha KaSithayi, to be performed
by 2nd year Drama Students from August 13 to 16.
This is a re-worked version of the 2012 production as the
Zulu nation is celebrating 200 years of Ilembe’s regiment. The production will
be directed by DUT Drama lecturer, Siza KaMnisi Mthembu, with music composition
by Aphiwe Namba.
Mbatha’s Zulu drama,
Nawe Mbopha KaSithayi (“You Too, Mbopha, Son of Sithayi”) is about the life
of King Shaka 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.
The son of Senzangakhona, born outside of marriage, Shaka
Zulu became King after his father’s death. He achieved this through the help of
his aunt, Princess Mkabayi KaJama. However, Shaka later became too powerful and
started attacking other clans like Mzilikazi, abaSwati and the Sothos. 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.”
Nawe Mbopha KaSithayi
features a cast of 43 young performers, headed by Zuzumuzi Mdamba, as Shaka,
with Senzo Mabanga and Thabiso Mkhize as Mbopha KaSithayi and Celestia Mpanza,
Noluvuyo Khumalo and Busisiwe Xulu as Mkabayi KaJama.
Nawe Mbopha KaSithayi
runs at the Courtyard Theatre, DUT from August 13 to 16 nightly at 19h00. Tickets
R40 (R20 students and pensioners) at the door:
For more information contact Lebohang Sibisi or Busisiwe
Mqadi on 031 373 2194/2801.
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