Tshepang

("To have hope") A play by Lara Foot-Newton.

(Also known as Tshepang: The Third Testament or on occasion by its full title: Tshepang: The Third Testament (based on 20,000 true stories)).

The original text
A play inspired by an horrific incident of infant rape that took place near Upington in the Northern Cape in 2001; the 9-month-old baby girl survived and was named Tshepang ("to have hope"), because she was not infected with the HIVirus by her rapist(s).

The play garnered several awards and accolades. The book became a matric set-book for Drama.

Translations and adaptations
It has been translated into and performed in Zulu (as uThembalethu - Tshepang, by Bheki Mkhwane), Afrikaans and Croatian. Published in the original English version in London by Oberon Press in 2004 and in Johannesburg by Wits University Press in 2005 and in Zulu by  Nutrend Publishers, Pietermaritzburg in 20**.

Performance history in South Africa
The play has toured extensively abroad and throughout South Africa in English, parts of the country in Afrikaans, and was played in Durban in isiZulu. It has also been performed in prisons and rural settlements throughout South Africa. Productions include:

2003: The world premiére by Duckrabbit Productions and Mopo Productions at the Roots Festival in Amsterdam on 26 June, directed by Lara Foot-Newton with Mncedisi Shabangu (2003 Fleur du Cap Best Actor award ) and Kholeka Qwabe (later replaced by Nonceba Constance Didi). Scenography and design by Gerhard Marx.

2003: The same production staged at the Grahamstown Festival in July, the Market Theatre Laboratory in August, the Hilton Arts Festival in September and the Baxter Theatre Sanlam Studio in November.

2004-2010: After 2003 the play went on tour, playing in venues around the world, including the Gate Theatre, London, in September 2004, the Studio Theatre at the Harbourfront in Toronto, Canada in 2009, New York, Brisbane, Stockholm and Amsterdam, and various cities in Germany and Switzerland.

2011: Produced at the Market Theatre in February, Schlesinger Theatre at Michaelhouse in March.

2011: Performed at the Loft Playhouse Theatre, Durban, in the Zulu translation as uThembalethu - Tshepang by Just in Time Productions in Directed by Maurice Podbrey with Bheki Mkhwane and Silindile Ndlovu.

2015: Restaged at Sacred Heart College in Johannesburg in April, directed by Lara Foot, with Mncedisi Shabangu from the original cast, and Nonceba Constance Didi.

2016: Performed at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown with the original cast members Mncedisi Shabangu and Nonceba Constance Didi.

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