Dingane

by H.I.E. Dhlomo

An epic play in English about the Zulu king who assassinated Chaka and Piet Retief, and led the Zulu’s in their clash with the white settlers. Written in 1937, it was first performed in a revised form in May 1954 by students of the University of Natal’s Medical School (Non-European Section) under the direction of two instructors, William Branford and Walter Pople, with “African music” by Charles Marivate. Branford also performed the newly written prologue. Revived at the Durban City Hall in August of that year and billed as a “milestone in the indigenous theatre of this [i.e. the 20th] century”. A stage version at the University of Natal, Durban. [Published in Dhlomo’s collected works, 1985.??*] Published in H.I.E. Dhlomo Collected Works by Ravan.

by J.P. Hlale

(“Dingane” – Southern Sotho). Published by Mazenod in 1965. An historical drama dealing with the life of the Zulu king Dingane (or Dingaan).

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