Durban University of Technology’s (DUT)
Drama Department presents the annual Dance Production, a season of contemporary
dance entitled Naked Truth, directed
by Mdu Mtshali. It runs in the Courtyard Theatre from October 5 to 7.
Naked
Truth raises awareness about the abuse of women and
children and commemorates the lives of Popi Qwabe and Bongeka Phungula, both
graduates from DUT’s Drama and Production Studies Department who were found
dead in Soweto in May this year, outside Naledi and Tladi respectively.
Mtshali explains: “As artists we also
honour the naked shoot campaign organised by Popi’s sister, Thembelihle Qwabe,
as her signature move in seeking justice for her late sister Popi Qwabe and
best friend Bongeka Phungula. The notion relies on the concept that abused and
murdered women should not be held to account as they are the victims not the
perpetrators. The Naked Truth
confronts the notion that women invite aggression and are the seducers of
rapists. Stripped bare women confront how the image of gender is not an
extended invitation minus agreement, voice or permission. This production is
centred on the female body as the site of abuse, rape, identity, acceptance,
gender tension, skin, tolerance and approval.”
Lihle Qwabe says: “As women we get undressed
every single day by men. They harass us and this is seemingly relative to black
women; we take taxis every day and get harassed. Some men seem to think that
because I smile with him he has a right to rape me. Because of my clothes he
has a right to sexually violate me, which is totally wrong, and we as women do
not feel safe at all,”
Although South Africa is a democratic
country, gender-based violence remains at its highest. Some members of society
still go out of their way to shame women who are “not covered up” enough.
“I chose the concept because women
suffering abuse has become a norm and frequently in confrontation elicits
laughter in this country. It is taken so lightly that government remains
uninvolved in finding solutions. The gruesome action of rape scenes will show
the true state of rape victims by using female bodies to depict the ordeal of
rape. Lighting will be used to suggest what is hidden and what is revealed,”
adds Mtshali.
Naked
Truth involves all second- year and third- years
who specialise in theatre dance, and showcases three new works by Durban based
choreographers: Mdu Mtshali, Tsediso Kabulu, Nqubeko Ngema and Njabulo Zungu.
Naked
Truth runs from October 4 to 6 nightly at 19h00 in
DUT’s Courtyard Theatre, Mansfield / Steve Biko Road. Entrance R20. More
information from Lebohang Sibisi on 031 373 2194.
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