My Children! My Africa!

The original text

The action takes place in a small Eastern Cape Karoo town in the autumn of 1984.

First published by Theatre Communications Group, New York, NY, 1990, therafter published in a variety of editions over the years, including Samuel French, Faber and Faber (1990) and Witwatersrand University Press (1990) (the latter in the collection My Children! My Africa! and Selected Shorter Plays, compiled by Stephen Gray).

The play was a Grade 12 government schools set work for English in 2023.

1989: Performed by the Market Theatre Company at the Market Theatre and later at the Baxter Theatre in October 1989, directed by Athol Fugard assisted by Lesley Nott, starring John Kani (Mr M), Kathy-Jo Ross (Isabel Dyson), Rapulana Seiphemo (Thami Seiphemo) and children of Zolile High School. Lighting design by Mannie Manim, lighting design supervised and sound coordination by Patrick Curtis.

1993: The first professional, unabridged production of the play in Bloemfontein was directed by Gerben Kamper for PACOFS at the Batho Community Hall from 3 to 13 March 1993 starring Corien Pelt and Nomsa Nene.

2009: Performed by the Lee University Drama Department, .

2023: Produced by the National Children's Theatre at the South Africa State Theatre, Pretoria, from 1-17 March, directed by Kathy-Jo Ross.

2025: Produced in The Opera at the South African State Theatre, Pretoria, in March. Directed by Aubrey Sechabi Aubrey W. Sekhabi with Penny Wolhuter as "Isabel", Thandolwethu Zondi as "Thami Mbikwana" and Mandla Gadika as "Mr. M". Assistant director Bongani Masango, lighting design by Pretty Masemola and stage management by Kagiso Modise and Ofentse Kgrori.The timing of the production was particularly poignant as it was performed in the month of Fugard's passing. A second season of the play done in August.

2026: The production performed once more at the South African State Theatre from 02 to 13 March.

2026: Presented by ArtsCape in July