Indigenous languages celebrated on stage
The hardships of solo parenthood and father absenteeism are brought to stage for examination.
The Market Theatre is celebrating International Mother Language Day with two indigenous productions, Xova, and Father Come Home.
For nearly 20 years, February 21 has been celebrated by UNESCO as the International Mother Language Day, to promote mother tongue-based multilingual education.
These two Market Theatre productions showcase the Market Theatre Foundation’s ongoing commitment to present productions in South Africa’s diverse languages.
Xova will be staged from March 25 to April 12.
Directed by Joseph Komani, the production is performed in isiXhosa mixed with English.
The body language and emotions in the play carry the story in movement and song, with a blend of a visual 3-D feel enhanced by elements of symbolism and minimalism.
“Ukuxova”, a Xhosa word meaning to prepare dough for home-baked bread, is a metaphor for the process of raising a child, which is exposed in the narrative.
The hardships of solo parenthood and father absenteeism are brought to stage for examination.
Set in a dry and dusty village on the outskirts of the Eastern Cape, Xova follows a young woman in a heavily disadvantaged family as she brings a healthy child to life and has to raise it without the father.
Father Come Home will be staged at the theatre from April 7 to May 3.
The play is adapted from prolific South African author E’skia Mphahlele’s novel and translated into isiPedi by award-winning actress and published writer Rami Chuene.
The play will be directed by the 2008 Zwakala Festival winner, Clive Mathibe, who is the creative director for the Mbokodo Awards.
“With the season of indigenous language plays, we hope to attract to the Market Theatre audiences who are familiar with the languages as well as audiences who have a curiosity for language, heritage and history. Audiences will find both works truly inspiring,” said Zama Buthelezi.
Contact Anthony Ezeoke on 011 832 1641 ext 203 / 083 246 4950, Magret Charova on 011 832 1641 ext 326 / 079 656 2340 and Jabulisile Mofolo on 011 832 1641 ext 204 / 083 203 0531.
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