Zach Skweyiya

Zach Skweyiya was a Port Elizabeth amateur stage actor and one of the members of the Serpent Players.

Biography

He worked for a wool factory in Korsten.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Circa 1970, Friday's Bread On Monday: One day, Zach Skweyiya, noticed a group of small kids in the area. He approached them and asked where they were headed so early in the morning. “We’re going to Brito’s. We are going to Britos to go to buy bread,” they said. Brito’s Bakery is still located in Haupt Street, Sydenham. “Why Britos? Isn’t there a corner cafe next to your place?” enquired Skweyiya. “Yes there is, but at Britos for five cents you get five loaves. You get Friday’s bread on Monday,” they replied. “They would bake the bread on Friday but they could only come and fetch the leftover bread on Monday,” said Nkonyeni. A loaf of bread cost about 14c at the time. Skweyiya was inspired by this encounter and took it to the rest of the Serpent Players. “We started brainstorming, did our research in the township and we came up with a beautiful theatrical piece called ‘Friday’s Bread on Monday,’” said Nkonyeni.

Sources

Ivor Markman interview with Nomhle Nkonyeni.

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