VIDEO: Nomalizo, The Brave: Girl-power show sure to pique interest in culture
A Highway Mail reporter and mum explains why she considers, Nomalizo, The Brave to be essential entertainment for young girls.
LEARNING about the culture of others, and understanding the way traditions have changed due to modernity, is important for all whose lives are touched daily by interactions with other people in communities.
As a mother of a young girl, I am keen to help her navigate the culturally distinct narratives surrounding issues of relationships and marriage which persist in our multi-cultural society. For this reason, I will be taking my child to see the musical, Nomalizo, The Brave during its short season at the Playhouse these school holidays.
Nomalizo, The Brave is a musical tale of love which comes to the Playhouse for a short season from 26 until 30 June. Honouring youth month and the country’s diversity, the show shines a spotlight on how some traditions still perpetuate the oppression of young women and the tensions between traditional cultural practices played out in a modern context.
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“The Nomalizo of the production’s title is a brave young woman who is deprived of the opportunity to marry the man she loves because of the cultural practice of ukuthwala intombi which refers to the tradition of forced marriages – when a woman is obliged to marry the man chosen for her by the community elders.
“The story encourages women to stand on their own and not allow men – or anyone else – to decide their futures for them,” explained Illa Thompson of Publicity Matters.
For the whole family
Thompson, when asked if the show would be suitable for a 10-year-old girl to attend, said she was encouraged by the producers to let people know it was suitable for the whole family but especially relevant for young girls.
“It deals with a serious topic, but in a gentle way, making it ideal for families to attend together with their youngsters as it offers a springboard for frank inter-generational discussions about the issues it raises.”
The production showcases this relevant and topical story with a powerful message through music, drama and dance, in particular acapella.
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Told in English and isiZulu, it features a cast of 23 performers from Durban’s uMlazi and Ntuzuma and is written and directed by Bonginkosi Shangase, and supported by Bongani Mbatha and Zeph Nzama.
Performance dates and times: 26 June @ 19h00 Preview; 27 June @ 19h00 Opening; 28 June @ 11h00 Schools and 19h00; 29 June @ 14h00 and 19h00 and 30 June @ 15h00. Playhouse bookings at Webtickets online (credit-cards, Zapper or SnapScan) or in-store at Pick n Pay. Public booking is R100.
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