Slegs vir Almal

Slegs vir Almal ("Only for everyone") is an Afrikaans cabaret with text and lyrics by Hennie Aucamp (1934-2014).

The original text

Aucamp's title is an ironic reference to the infamous restriction "Slegs vir Blankes" ("For Whites Only") that appeared on signboards at all public facilities in the country, particulalry under the Apartheid regime. The force and focus of the cabaret itself derives from the author's opposition to that inhuman restriction in South African society.

Subtitled : 'n kabaret oor selfsug ("a cabaret about selfishness"), it was written and first performed in 1985.

First produced at the Kampustoneel festival by students of the Stellenbosch Drama Department, with the text adapted and directed by Herman Pretorius.

Aucamp's final text published by HAUM Literêr in 1986.

About this title in South African culture

As stated above, the title of the cabaret utilizes an ironic inversion based on the notorious Apartheid signs restricting public facilities and space to racial categories ("Whites Only", "Non Whites only", etc) to address and criticise the fundamental inhumanity the practice implied.

Besides Aucamp's cabaret, the ironic title, and the objection to the Apartheid restrictions implied by it, has been used by various artists over the years, including:

A set of art works Slegs Vir Almal by Tom Phillips (1937–2022)[1], exhibited in the country in 1974.

A Loesje International poster[2]

In "Slegs vir almal - die Uitsaaiwet-debat en die openbare sfeer", an article about journalism and press freedom in South Africa by Herman Wasserman, published online in Woord en Daad on 1 Dec 2003[3]