Khongolose Khommanding Khommissars

Khongolose Khommanding Khommissars a South African political satire by Jefferson Tshabalala (19**-), writing as "J. Bobs".

The original text

Performed largely in English and laced with an invented idiom the play calls "Comrade-speak", it dissects the entanglement of politicians and businessmen in contemporary South Africa, asking what it means to be a black businessman, a black politician, or both at once, and exposing a culture of greed and corruption beneath the rhetoric of revolution.

Khongolose Khommanding Khommissars was published as a script in 2018*, in a collaboration between his company Kiri Pink Nob Arts and Monageng Motshabi's diartskonageng*, the two having earlier co-produced the work for the stage. It was launched in Cape Town in December 2018*. The script was awarded the Naledi Award for Best New South African Script (2024*).

Translations and adaptations

No translations or adaptations have been traced*.

Performance history in South Africa

An early staging was co-produced by Kiri Pink Nob Arts and diartskonageng around 2017*. The play received its first major professional production — billed as its world premiere — at the 2023 National Arts Festival, Makhanda, opening on 30 June 2023. It was produced by the Market Theatre and directed by Billy Langa and Mahlatsi Mokgonyana (the Theatre Duo), with Ketsia Velaphi as assistant director, set and lighting by Denis Hutchinson, costumes by Lethabo Bereng, projection design by Nikki Pilkington, sound by Jannous Aukema and movement direction by Ernest "Ginger" Baleni. The cast was Lebohang Masimola (Qiniso Nxumalo), Anelisa Phewa (Sqalo Hoko), Tshireletso Nkoane (Tsebo Rapoo), Xolile Benjamin Gama (Ronald Mulaudzi) and Moagi Benjamin Kai (Mxolisi Mthembu). The production was made possible by the Eyesizwe Mining Development Trust*, the National Arts Festival, Business and Arts South Africa and Standard Bank.

2023: Following its National Arts Festival premiere, the production played the Market Theatre, Johannesburg, from 26 July*, and the South African State Theatre, Pretoria, from 17 November to 3 December.