Love amidst misery
The cast members of Portraits of Kwatsaduza are ready to tell the story of how people found moments of happiness after they were forcibly removed from their homes.
Duduza – The cast members of Portraits of Kwatsaduza are ready to tell the story of how people found moments of happiness after they were forcibly removed from their homes.
KwaZulu-Natal-born Nathi Msomi found inspiration in the untold story of the displaced settlers of KwaThema, Tsakane and Duduza.
“Most people know what happened in Soweto, and how people ended up living there.
“But forced removals affected black South Africans everywhere, and people need to know,” he says.
Duduza, west of Nigel, was established in the early 1960s when black people were resettled from Charterston under the Group Areas Act of 1950.
“People from Payneville met the same fate when they were moved to KwaThema.
“And residents of Old Location, in Brakpan, were moved to Tsakane.”
Msomi says the musical will explore love in that difficult time.
“People still found a way to be happy and make families and move on with their lives somehow.”
He believes that more could be done to educate people about their history.
Portia Sibeko (27) says being part of the cast has opened her eyes to the sadness of her community.
“Honestly, I didn’t know much about our history.
“This project will hone my craft as an actress.
“I will come out more conscious of my surroundings.”
Tsebo Mofokeng (34) says he is encouraged by the resilience of the people.
“Even though they were unhappy about being moved without their consent, they found ways to create better lives.
“They remained positive about the future.”
Portraits of Kwatsaduza, written by Nathi Msomi and directed by John Lata, will be on stage at the Springs Theatre on September 1.
