Raka

Raka is an Afrikaans dramatic poem by N.P. van Wyk Louw.

Seen by many as a visionary metaphor for the battle between good and evil, or even for civilization in Africa.

The original text

Originally published in Afrikaans in 1941, it has been reprinted more than 40 times since.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into English by Antony Dawes (1968), into German by W.A. Kellner (1970), into Kwanyama by Paavo Hasheela (1982), the radio version translated into Zulu, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho and Xhosa by various SABC broadcasters (1980s).

The poem has seen many adaptations over the years, in the form of visual art, music, dance and prose. Here we only consider stage versions. (For more information on other forms, see for example van Koller and Van Jaarsveld, 2010)

In many ways the most notable version was perhaps Frank Staff's seminal ballet (1967), which has been re-choreographed to Staff's original choreography a few times by Veronica Paeper (1999, 2004).

Other adaptations include a "radiophonic drama" by Graham Newcater (1967), a radio version by Truida Pohl (1989),

1989: An adapted and directed for radio by Truida Pohl (1989) and broadcast on SABC radio. This text was then translated into Zulu, Southern Sotho, Northern Sotho and Xhosa by various SABC broadcasters.

Performances

Raka has been performed numerous times in various ways in the country. Often simply as a dramatised verse reading or perfomance by a single narrator or as a physical theatre or dance piece by a performance company.

1967: Ballet-variasie, Franks Staff and Graham Newcater.

1988: Raka - die Musical, André Letoit (ongepubliseerd)

1992: Raka, Niel le Roux (ongepubliseerd).

1999: Raka (Dansteater) in opdrag van die KKNK opgevoer deur Anton van Niekerk.

2004: Ballet tydens die KKNK deur die Kaapstadse Stadsballet opgevoer met Frank Staff as choreograaf.

2005: Raka, Gariepdam Amateur-toneelgeselskap.Die rede hiervoor is dat die hoofgegewe van die oorspronklike epos dieselfde is, maar die aanbieding daarvan verskil in die sin dat dit met blommerangskikkings toegelig word. Die rangskikkings bring 'n verdere dimensie van interpretasie die teks binne. Verder is daar ook slegs twee spelers (man en vrou) wat afwisselend die woordkuns-verwerking voordra. Die woordteks word telkens afgewissel met eietydse Afrikaanse musiek en genoemde blommekuns. Tematies word daar dus by die oorspronklike epos gehou, terwyl daar slegs van nuwe elemente gebruik gemaak word om dit uit te beeld.

Raka - The Ballet

In many ways the most notable version was perhaps Frank Staff's seminal ballet (1967), set to a score by Graham Newcater and the harbinger of a truly South African tradition in ballet. Raka proved such a success that it was soon made into a film that was distributed worldwide by Twentieth Century Fox.

Performed many times in various ways by a range of companies thereafter, including the George Arts Festival (2001, with Christo Davids), the Cape Town City Ballet and Artscape (choreographed by Veronica Paeper, KKNK, 2010), . Staff's choreography recreated by Veronica Paeper and performed at the KKNK in 2010.

=Radio versions in African languages

Die uiteindelike vertalings is in prosavorm alhoewel enkele gedeeltes ook in digvorm vertaal is. Tipies van die inheemse (swart) kultuur in Suid-Afrika is daar heelwat liedere vir solostem, manne-, vroue- en kinderkore daarin opgeneem. Musiek vir die liedere is deur P. J. Simelane,

Raka by Niel le Roux (1992)

A stage adaptation has been done by Niel le Roux. Unpublished.

Raka – Die Musical by André Letoit

Raka – Die Musical ("Raka - The Musical") is a radical adaptation set in the apartheid years, in the era of P. W. Botha, the state of emergency and the struggle, supporting the anti-Apartheid vision of the ANC. Unpublished.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Staff

Programme, Raka, Cape Town City Ballet, KKNK, April,

H. P. van Coller and A. van Jaarsveld. 2010. Die spore van Raka: oor herskrywing en kanonisering (Deel 1), Tydskrif vir Letterkunde, Vol. 47 no.1.[1]

H. P. van Coller and A. van Jaarsveld. 2010. Die spore van Raka: oor herskrywing en kanonisering (Deel 2), Tydskrif vir Letterkunde, Vol. 47 no.2.[2]

Return to

Return to R

Return to South African Theatre Plays

Return to Main Page