Soweto Theatre

The Soweto Theatre, cnr Bolani Road and Bolani Link, Jabulani, opened on 16th May 2012 with The Suitcaseby Es’kia Mphahlehle.

Built in a zone of public space within the high density, mixed-use Jabulani CBD, it is intended to be a multi-purpose performing arts centre for theatre productions, dance, music, film and community gatherings. Known as the “cultural heart” of the suburb, it includes the existing Jabulani Amphitheatre, parkland, public art and other amenities. Residents of Soweto as well as the greater Johannesburg and surrounds will be able to enjoy professional local and international productions.

The Suitcase is a short story Es’kia Mphahlele wrote in 1954 and has been adapted for the stage and directed by James Ngcobo. A beautiful story of love and trial, The Suitcase is about the lives of ordinary black people, lives that have been twisted and contorted out of shape by circumstances.

Set in the 1950s and based on an actual event, The Suitcase centres on a young rural couple, Timi Ngobese, played by Siyabonga Twala, and Namhla Ngobese, played by Xolile Tshabalala. The couple, despite family disapproval of their marriage, leave for the city.

Filled with hope, the husband dreams of returning to the village with his fortune. But this hope fades and, desperate to provide for his pregnant wife, he steals a suitcase left in a bus, an act that dramatically changes his life.

James Ngcobo, director of The Suitcase, says: “To be able to yet again pick up this great piece of story-telling by our giant Es’kia Mphahlele leaves one with a lot of humility, to honour his work and the biographies that he put in this story. There is poignancy about how he wove this story that it is still in conversation with contemporary issues.

Mphahlehle, one of the great Drum writers of the 50’s, left us with a body of work including pieces like “Down Second Avenue”, but mostly his work in the community of Soweto is really what makes it special that his story “The Suitcase” becomes the gateway of narrative in this symbolic space called the Soweto Theatre, a gift for all communities in Gauteng and beyond.

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