South African

The term South African usually refers to anything belonging to or arising from the political and geographical region called South Africa. Of course there is a problem with an itinerant and multicultural cultural activity such as theatre - for when does a production become "South African"? (When there is an South African cast? When the play is put on in South Africa? etc.) So "South African Theatre" is perhaps best described by the more cumbersome term Theatre in South Africa or Theatre of South Africa, though each in turn has its own delimitations and/or shortcomings.

Southern African is sometimes used to include South Africa, but to also indicate a slightly broader geographic and cultural area, including neighbouring countries, such as Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, etc.

For more information

See South Africa

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page