Siyasanga South African Theatre Company

Siyasanga is an African Hlubi word meaning: "we embrace you or we thank you". Siyasanga is a repertory theatre company for young South African theatre workers and particularly those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Also billed as Siyasanga Theatre Company, Siyasanga Cape Town Theatre Company, or simply Siyasanga.

History

It was founded by playwright Fatima Dike and producer/director Roy Sargeant in 2001, and officially launched in 2003. The ultimate goal is to establish a major, theatrical repertory company, which would have a stock of plays and performances that it can perform at regular intervals. Such a company would provide work for South African theatre workers on two-to three- year contracts and builds up a loyal audience because of its constant presence in the market place. Initially Siyisanga was based in Langa, putting on small plays for tourists visiting the Gugu S'Thebe Centre in Langa and at schools. In 2007, it moved to Artscape. Early productions were staged jointly with Artscape.

Since 2005, it has also run the annual Artscape Spring Drama Season, where new work by new and established writers are shown.

In 2011, Fatima Dike and Roy Sargeant were joined by fellow theatricals Alfred Rietmann and Anthea Thompson.

Following the Covid 19 pandemic, the company went into hibernation till late 2024 when some activities commenced under a new and stream-lined board, chaired by Fatima Dike.

Aims and objectives

The main objectives of the Company are to encourage and mentor young writers and performers from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. The primary focus at present is on youth empowerment through the performing arts. Given the important role that theatre plays in the enactment of cross-cultural engagements, the projects promote an engagement with on-going challenges associated with issues of social justice.

Productions

The company staged adaptations of school setworks that were performed at Artscape and toured to schools. Performing setworks was part of the original vision – to bring texts by Shakespeare, Samuel Beckett and other great playwrights to life for pupils.

Other productions include: