Lifa

Lifa is a musical play by Gibson Kente (1932-2004).

The original text

The play is about a child taken away from its mother in the Transkei by the father in order to seek medical help. They never return and the child is raised by a step-mother. Unpublished, text lost.

Performance history in South Africa

1968: According to a tribute written by Peter Makurube on Kente's death, Lifa was "a hit in 1968". (City Press, 14 November 2004). Another source refers to Kenny Majozi starring as "Zuluboy" in the play in the late 1960s. First performed in the city of Johannesburg and went on a tour of the townships.

Written and performed in 1967/70/72?** (Loren Kruger 1997, has all three dates)

1972: Performed at the DOCC in 1972, directed by Kente. The cast included Zakes Kuse as Lifa, Patricia Mabua as Thozi, Kenny Majozi, Zakithi Dlamini, Majoja, Thandi More, Ndaba Mhlongo. (S'ketsh' Summer 1972).

199*: Revived by Jerry Mofokeng in 199*, based on information from Kente and the 1970s cast.

Sources

S'ketsh' Summer 1972.

Andile Xaba. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis.

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