Political play rocks Alex

Alex theatre lovers recently got their money’s worth of social and political commentary, and edutainment at the Olive Tree Theatre which should remain etched in their memories for a long time.

This through a play, Rocks and Roses directed by Sello Maseko and produced by Reshoketswe Maredi of Agang Productions. The play depicts the ills all too often associated with some African leaders. The well thought out play is a masterful political and social critique of the pitfalls of an imaginary leader of a fictitious African country, Republic, who after assuming power deviates from the noble dictates of a liberation struggle from colonial rule.

After taking over, the leader, Jackson Madlandula played by Soyiso Ndaba, bestows all power to himself by decree. His act of dictatorial governance all but destroys any hope among his liberation colleagues to see true representative democracy and promised hope for a better life for the population.

His departure from democratic governance is instead replaced by vile arrogance and greed, which turns him into a monster, whose unimaginable lust for absolute power ignites a revolt leading him to turn to the country’s former colonial master to prop up his regime. This reverts the nation to post-colonial dependency.

The cast enlivens the play through well choreographed military style action. The leader’s ill-gotten opulence and womanising ultimately leads to his downfall, but after more blood has been spilt to perpetuate a neo-colonial agenda that returns to rule the country.

The play is worth a repeat as a lesson on the challenges and temptations faced by many leaders who abrogate on the objectives of freedom and democracy through liberation, after assuming power.

Read: American choir performs in Alex

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