To mark heritage month, the South African
State Theatre will be presenting the story of Cetshwayo, warrior king of the
Zulu nation, from September 17 to 22, 2019.
King Cetshwayo kaMpande led his nation to
the historic victory over the British army in the Battle of Isandlwana on January
22, 1879. This year marks 140 years since the battle took place. It was one of
the battles of the Anglo-Zulu War; one of the decisive wars of resistance
against colonialism and land dispossession.
The story of the life and times of King
Cetshwayo is told in a musical theatre format. It is written and directed by
the award-winning playwright and director, Mpho Jerry Pooe, who worked with
musical directors Mbuso Khoza and Sandile Mpungose.
King
Cetshwayo - the Musical highlights the key events
of the Anglo-Zulu war, such as the victory at Isandlwana, the king’s arrest and
banishment, his visit to Queen Victoria in England, and the celebration of the
Zulu nation on defeating the British soldiers. The story is told through
multimedia, song, vibrant dance and dialogue. The musical notably features
Mxolisi Ngubane (as King Cetshwayo), Nhlakanipho Maphumulo, Xolani Henema,
Stella Zuma, Msizi Shezi, Bazini Msomi and many more.
King Cetshwayo was born in 1826 to Mpande
who was King Shaka’s half-brother. Due to the turbulence and uncertainties that
engulfed the Zulu kingdom and threatened its existence, King Mpande declared
Prince Cetshwayo his successor very early on in life, which was unusual for a
king to do. As Cetshwayo grew older, he began to undermine his father’s
authority and, following the bitter rivalry against his half-brother Mbuyazi
which culminated in the Battle of Ndondakusuka in 1856, Cetshwayo assumed
control of the kingdom.
By the time Mpande died, he was king in
name only as Cetshwayo had long taken over the decision-making. The British grew
worried about his rapid rise and the consolidation of Zulu military power. They
planned to disempower him and dismantle the Zulu military system by issuing the
infamous Ultimatum in 1878 imposed by the Natal colonial government’s Sir
Theophilus Shepstone. The rejection of the terms of the Ultimatum and the
failure of diplomatic efforts led to the outbreak of the Anglo-Zulu war in
January 1879. Cetshwayo reportedly died on February 8, 1884, from a heart
attack or suspected poisoning and was buried at Nkandla forest. By the time he
passed away, the Zulu kingdom had lost its independence and had been divided
into 13 chiefdoms, ruled by chiefs appointed by the colonial government.
Pooe says: “The public and young people
must come and see Africans being portrayed in a positive light as evidenced in
the epic victory of King Cetshwayo’s regiments against Queen Victoria’s
well-armed troops. It is important for them to know and understand the history
of South Africa as narrated by South Africans themselves.”
The internationally acclaimed musical has
been on tour, including a stop in Wales (where it premiered in 2017) before a
run at Durban’s Playhouse Company in August. Wales is significant in the
history of the Anglo Zulu War because most of the British soldiers who fought
in the war came from the Welsh town of Brecon.
The production is presented by the Wushwini
Pan African Centre for Arts, Culture and Heritage production company, in
association with The Playhouse Company, Ethekwini Municipality-Arts and Living
Cultures and KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture.
Tickets for King Cetshwayo - the Musical are set at R100 for learners if booked
through the State Theatre Sales / Ambassadors and R120 for adults, at
Webtickets - online or over the counter at any Pick n Pay store countrywide
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