ABAMINZA: DIALOGUES WITH THE DROWNED

Unearthing recovered histories of men who perished on the SS Mendi.

DUT second year Drama and Production students are staging a brand new especially-created production honouring an important chapter of our complex history, entitled Abaminza: Dialogues with the Drowned - Unearthing recovered histories of men who perished on the SS Mendi which comes to the DUT Courtyard Theatre from October 17 to 20, created, devised and directed collaboratively by Drama HoD, Dr Tanya van der Walt and Senior Lecturer, Dr Tamar Meskin.

The production examines the fascinating, and deeply tragic stories associated with the SS Mendi, which was the worst maritime disaster in South Africa’s history. The SS Mendi was a British troop ship built in 1905 and sunk with great loss of life on February 21, 1917, in the English Channel. The Mendi sank killing 646 people of which most of whom were black South African troops on their way to serve in World War One.

The dramatic story will be presented through spoken word vignettes, poetry and creative writing piece in a variety of languages (mostly in Zulu and English); dance; live original music; soundscapes; projections; multi-media and song.

Performances: October 17 to 20. Show times – Tues, Wed, Fri at 18h00, Thursday at 16h00.

Tickets R50 (R20 students) available through secretary Bawinile at 031 373 2194, email: BawinileM1@dut.ac.za

DUT Courtyard Theatre is situated at 51 Steve Biko Road, Musgrave, Durban. Off-road parking available.