Nyathela Works seeks to develop and revive the arts in Nkangala

Reviving Spaces is a development programme and platform that will use alternative spaces to creatively perform developed dance and theatre works in collaboration with organisations and companies.

The dance and theatre productions are created by emerging choreographers and directors. The artists are getting a taste of working skillfully and an idea of the way a play develops from rehearsal to performance.

The shows are mentored by George Mhlanguli; director, writer and founder of theatre in the backyard and Moses Moe Mashianoke, who is based in eMalahleni. He is a stage play writer and director who is passionate about developing performing arts in his community.

“We are developing six shows around Nkangala region in dance and theatre. Four shows are from eMalahleni, and other regions within Mpumalanga,” said Mashianoke.

Performances of these shows will start from Monday, April 18 till Saturday, April 30.

Mashianoke believes that every space is a performance space; artists must find ways to tell their stories.

Nyathela Works reviving spaces is made possible by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC).

List of the development theatre shows:

*On my last breath: written and directed by Tshepiso Mamaila, developed by Mhlanguli George and Moses Moe Mashianoke performed by Sfiso Sindane and Tshepiso Mamaila. The play tells a story about two childhood friends who built their friendship through good and painful memories to the point where they worked for the same mine and got married on the same day.

Date: April 22, Izodela Arts Centre at 15: 00, R30 entrance fee. 

*Mkhuseli and scarecrow: written and directed by Mandla Masilela. The play is developed by Mhlanguli George and Moses Moe Mashianoke, and performed by Sbusiso Msiza. Mkhuseli and the scarecrow is an emotional journey of a man called Mkhuseli, fighting against his family’s traumatic disorders.

His grandfather’s farm was looted from them by a white man strategically claiming that the land belongs to them.

They killed everyone who was vocally involved in the topic of land. Mkhuseli inherited his father’s position on the farm as a groundsman aiming to recover his grandfather’s body which was buried on the farm as that would be the only proof that the farm belongs to them. He then creates a scarecrow in his own image to reclaim his identity.

The play will be staged on April 27 at 15: 00.

*Pula: directed and written by Leonard Sbusiso Themba and co-directed by Mandla Innocent Masilela, developed by Mhlanguli George and Moses Moe Mashianoke. The play is performed by Lifa Mabena as Sipho, Zinhle Nkosi as Sibongile, Delmain Stuurman as Mujalifa, Olwethu Manci as Nonzwakazi, and Khanyisile Matshiloane as The Oracle.

Pula is a story about children that have special powers, but are kept a secret to them; one is the rain bringer, and the other is the protector of the rain bringer.

On their way to seek a better life, they found out that they are actually fulfilling their destiny.

The play will be staged on April 29 at IZodela Arts Centre at 16: 30. Entrance: R40 and children R20.

*Unleashed: written by Vinolia Nkosi and co-directed by Vinolia and Bayanda Yengwayo. The play is developed by Mhlanguli George and Moses Moe Mashianoke, performed by Bayanda Yengwane, Lorraine Manana, Thandolwethu Mabaso and Thuli Shongwe.

The play highlights the times of Jama Sbeko where life often comes out to play. Every day he dies from telling his childhood memories, the child in him has suffered for the longest time that he doesn’t make sense of reality and his previous experiences, hence the child in him seems to confuse him and he finds himself being a prisoner of his memories.

The play will be staged on April 30 at Jubindaba Street, Old Apostolic Church in Vosman and starts at 13:00. Tickets: R50. 

Shows out of Emalahleni Municipality: 

Nton-Nton Reloaded (Embalenhle) Nyathela Works reviving spaces programme has collaborated with IC network to bring you Nton-Nton Reloaded theatre play created and directed by Absalom Nkabinde, developed by Mhlanguli George and Moses Mashianoke.

The play is performed by Lindile Msimango and Siyabonga Khumalo. The play is set in a private prison called ‘Nton-Nton’.

The prison is run by a Mr Van Tonder and his soldiers.

The prison caters to both males and females. The prison is inside bushes where nobody knows about it and the prisoners who are there without prosecution for being activists.

The play is set both in the apartheid and democratic era. 

The two male and female protagonists recount their stories through words, songs, flashbacks and body language; the event that brought them at Nton Nton Prison.

Zungu, a political activist was fighting for proper sanitation and service delivery for the most disadvantaged community of Kube Kube Township, he was later arrested for his political activities, and against the forced removals.

Play on April 18 at 13:00 at Sijongile Ndamase Community Hall, Embalenhle. Tickets R20 each and R50 for 3. 

African Heart at Dr Js Moroka Municipality Nyathela Works reviving spaces programme has collaborated with Mpumalanga Dance Theatre to bring you African Heart an African dance show created and choreographed by Israel Bereta, developed by Mhlanguli George and Moses Moe Mashianoke, performed by Ernest Molokomme, Kegomoditswe Mokgoshi, Gorapetswe Moffat and Israel Bereta and the stage manager Frank Phahla.

African Heart is an African dance piece that explores solutions to the neglect of cultural influence and life impediments.

Date of the play is on April 23 at Tswelopele Youth Advisory Centre, entrance is R10 and starts at 17:00.

For more information contact Moses Moe Mashianoke, founder and artistic director for Nyathela Works 078 709 8700 | info@nyathelaworks.co.za

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