Where is my son?

A play by Peter Ngwenya (1956-2009).

The original text

Based on a true story, it is about the tragic death of a young activist after his abduction from his home. In the play, the main character disappears after men posing as policemen abduct him from his home. His mother embarks on a desperate search, including inquiring at a police station, where the police deny that he was arrested.

Performance history in South Africa

1991: Performed at the National Arts Festival, 1991, under the direction of Ngwenya, starring Thoko Mbongwa (Ma-Mkhonto), Lucky Ngojo (Duaghter), Sindiswa Magongo (Daughter) and Mtombi Madinane (Policeman and Friend). The play also toured Finland, Sweden and Denmark. After the European tour, the play was performed in Zimbabwe as part of a programme of South African plays.

The play was performed at Dlambulo Primary School among others in Soweto and at the Alexandra Arts Centre. The play also went on tour to the United Kingdom and was booked for performances in youth and community arts centres as well as at various education institutions. One of these was the Zabalaza Arts Festival in London. The play was also performed at the Back to Back Theatre in Education Company and the West Yorkshire Playhouse, where it was part of the Mayhem Festival. The play was also taken to Switzerland and Canada. The cast was made up of Thandi Mthimunye, Thoko Mbongwa, Sindi Mangwa and Busi Nkosi.

Sources

National Arts Festival programme, 1991. 53.

Die Oosterlig 22 May 1991

Andile Xaba. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis.

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