Asinamali
Asinamali ("We have no money") is a workshopped play by Mbongeni Ngema (1955-2023) and cast.
The original text
The play tells the story of five black prisoners who tell the stories of their lives and their road to prison under the apartheid regime. It was inspired by events that surrounded the 1983 rent strike in the Lamontville township, led by the martyred activist Msizi Dube, in which the rallying cry was Asinamali! (isiZulu for "We have no money!").
Improvised by the original cast of Bongani Hlope, Bheki Mqadi, Solomzi Bhisholo, Boy Ngema and Thami Cele, led and directed by Mbongeni Ngema. A simply staged but powerful and enormously energetic piece of wonderfully synchronized improvisational theatre, utilizing sounds, narrative, mime and physical action in exciting ways to explore the backgrounds of the various characters and their experiences of life under apartheid. What made the disturbing play particularly intriguing is the creators' balanced portrayal of each character and his reasons for being in prison.
The text was first published in Woza Afrika: An Anthology of South African Plays (edited by Duma Ndlovu and publshed by George Braziller in 1986). Later also published in The Best of Mbongeni Ngema (Skotaville, 1995).
It won numerous awards for both as text and for the superb ensemble acting, including the Vita Award for acting in 1985.
Performance history
1985: First performed by Committed Artists in The Laager at the Market Theatre in May, directed by Mbongeni Ngema with Bongani Hlope, Bheki Mqadi, Solomzi Bhisholo, Boy Ngema, Thami Cele. It then went going on a world tour and returned to the Market Theatre for a second run in December.
1986: The same cast played at the Baxter Theatre in 1986,
1988: The play was performed at the National Arts Festival.
2013: Performed at the Grahamstown Festival in Grahamstown in July, then The Barney Simon theatre at the Market Theatre from 16 July to 18 August. This version directed by Prince Lamla, with Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu - Solomzi Menzi Biyela, Tshallo Sputla Chokwe, Xolile Gama, and Lungi Pinda - Bheki. Musical Direction by Boy Ngema, Lighting Design by Nomvula Molepo, Set and Costume design by Karabo Legoabe and Stage Management by Bongani Motsepe
Film version
A BBC film was made of the British production and shown in England (but banned on the SABC).
Sources
Market Theatre programme for Asinamali, 1985. (Copy held in the ESAT Archives)
Artslink.co.za [news0713@artslink.co.za]
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