Nothing strange about EFF play showing at SA State Theatre, says artistic director

The Economic Freedom Fighters’ Leruo play is on a national tour and one of its stops was the South African State Theatre (SAST) on Sunday, 14 May, which attracted a slew of fighters draped in the red colours of the political party that celebrates its 10 year anniversary this year.

No conflict of interest

Speaking to The Citizen about the play being staged at the theatre in Tshwane, Artistic Director Aubrey Sekhabi says there’s nothing odd about the EFF’s anniversary being celebrated at the SAST.

“There is nothing strange about a theatre hosting or presenting an artistic production, irrespective of its origins. The SAST is a public theatre and is open to all people/producers who want to present their artistic projects.

“Productions with political content or those that are perceived to be leaning towards a certain political direction are nothing new to this theatre or any other theatre in South Africa,” says Sekhabi.

Leruo is a play that depicts the plight of South Africans in a democratic Mzansi, but zooms-in on the last decade when the EFF became part of the South African political landscape and the story is told through the eyes of the political party. The play is written by actor and former EFF Member of Parliament Fana Mokoena.

The play touches of issues such as Gender Based Violence, the ruling party’s corruption and hop-topic issues such as load shedding. Leruo is part of a programme of activities line-up for the paly, to celebrate the party’s 10th anniversary.

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“There is not conflict of interest. Anyone is free to rent space at the SAST irrespective of their political background.

“Part of the SAST’s mandate is to host meetings and conferences, so if a political party requests for space at the SAST and is able to meet the financial obligations of the contract, the theatre cannot decline the request on political grounds that would be censorship and a serious act of discrimination.”

According to the artistic director this isn’t the first time the theatre space hosts a political party in its celebrations.

“In 2012, there were many cultural or artistic activities that were presented by the political party concerned or individuals affiliated to it at theatres or other public event spaces.

“In April this year, the South African State Theatre hosted an artistic production, Sikhahlel’u O.R. which is a tribute to Oliver Reginald Tambo, who was the President of the African National Congress.”

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EFF’s anniversary celebration

The play is backed by a good cast of young actors which include Nozuko Ncayiyane. Having watched the play, maybe it should’ve been titled Azania as the play doesn’t centre on the Leruo character, but what happens in the city of Azania.

The Leruo play opened last week at the Soweto Theatre, where leadership of the EFF was in attendance including the party’s president Julius Malema and his deputy Floyd Shivambu.

It showed at the Springs Theatre and the SAST this past weekend. The latter was a full house thanks to attendance by a number of EFF members including the Mzwanele Manyi who recently joined the party and Godrich Gardee. Leruo is expected to head to the North West next weekend.

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