26 Aug 2015

Against the backdrop of the recent xenophobic attacks against African nationals across various townships of South Africa, The Company at Maitisong will on September 15th present a theatre production that will depict how African countries contributed to South Africa’s struggle for freedom.

“Born Around Here will highlight the contributions made by African nations towards the realisation of democracy in South Africa by using Botswana and Zambia as examples,” said the director of the play, Gao Lemmenyane in an interview.

He said the cast will include Marang Molosiwa, Itseng Modukanele, Kabelo Mojuta and the University of Botswana’s Visual and Performing Arts students.

“What is evident is that some South Africans do not understand how other African nations assisted their country’s liberation movements during apartheid,” he said.

He said that the hospitality and sacrifices made by other African nationals for South Africa should be made known.

Lemmenyane said the production will trace the story of Zakes, a South African refugee running away from the brutality of the South African apartheid government. He arrives and lives in Botswana, marrying a Motswana and undertaking underground operations between Gaborone and Lusaka.

He said the story is interrogated through human relations and how ordinary nationals in host countries interacted with South Africans and how human vulnerabilities and fears exposed human elements of love, compassion and the concept of Ubuntu.

Lemmenyane said during South Africa’s struggle, the presence of political refugees in other African countries posed grave danger to the nationals of those host countries.

“On June 14, 1985 the South African led government bombed houses in Phiring, Gaborone, Botswana and twelve people were killed while six were injured,” he said, indicating that only five of the victims were South Africans.

He indicated that in the later years, more houses were bombed and even more people killed.

Lemmenyane said these stories are either unknown or have been conveniently forgotten.

He said the production is more important now more than ever to remind South Africans that they would not have achieved democracy if it was not for the hospitality of African governments and their nationals.

Lemmenyane further indicated that the play will also interrogate whether there is acknowledgement of other victims of apartheid in African countries other than South Africa, and poses the question of possible compensation.

“Born Around Here is also meant to hold a mirror to the South African society and compels them to reflect on Africa and its role in the struggle for freedom,” said the director of Maitisong.

He said through this play, he hopes that knowledge will be imparted about the African continent and its people in order to build bridges and create tolerance and understanding.

“Special thanks should be given to Professor David Kerr, David Slater, Gaolape Basuhi and Sinah Molefhi for contributing to the research process and giving insight into what was happening in Gaborone during the late 70s and 80s,” he said.

Lemmenyane further said the play will be reworked with Cape Town actors, musicians and director at the Artscape, and the team will travel to Cape Town from September 16-27 and will perform as part of the Artscape Heritage Festival (September 24-27).

“The play is also booked to perform at the State Theatre in Pretoria on August 2016 as part of the Women’s Month,” he said. He added that on September 15th, Born Around Here will be at Maitisong along with the Standard Ovation Award winning production, Morwa: The Rising Son, by Tefo Paya. Ends