Ityala la Mawele

Ityala la Mawele ("The Lawsuit of the Twins") is a Xhosa musical play by Thando Doni (19**-).

The original text
Adapted by Thando Doni from the influential novel Ityala la Mawele by Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi (1875–1945). The first extant novel in Xhosa, it was originally published by the Lovedale Press in 1914 and has been reprinted a number of times since. It tells the story of a dispute between the fictional twins Wele and Babini over their deceased father’s estate and is set in the time of the historical King Hintsa kaKhawuta (1789–1835).

Performance history in South Africa
2015: First performed as part of the Artscape Theatre Centre’s New Voices developmental programme in November 2015. Directed by Thando Doni and Mandla Mbothwe, with musical direction by Bongi Mantsai, the play's large cast included Faniswa Yisa, Bongi Mantsai, Chuma Sopotela and Babalwa Makwetu.

2016: Performed by Artscape.

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