Mzansi Theatre Review

SALT performed at the 2025 National Arts Festival. Picture: Supplied They say time flies when you're having fun, but “fun” doesn’t even begin to describe what I experienced at the 2025 National Arts Festival this past weekend in Makhanda. What unfolded wasn’t just entertaining, it was moving, jarring, liberating, and, at times, downright soul-shaking.  From poetic monologues and powerful dance pieces to emotionally-charged theatre, each performance offered more than just entertainment. It was a weekend of confronting hard truths, celebrating bold artistry, and experiencing, time and again, the transformative power of the arts. To kick things off, I had the privilege of experiencing SALT by Cape Ballet Africa, a captivating showcase of original South African choreography by Mthuthuzeli November, Kirsten Isenberg, and Michelle Reid. The production featured bold, original works that explored emotional depth, rhythmic power, and creative flair, complemented by the classical elegance o...

  Modise Sekgothe in Gabo Legwala. Picture: Mark Wessels The National Arts Festival (NAF) is more than just a platform to perform; it’s a space for artists to present original work to their peers, to industry experts, and most importantly, to an audience eager to engage. Whether it’s theatre, poetry, comedy, or dance, the festival is a creative testing ground for the industry. It allows artists to say, “Here is my work, what do you think?” and to experience how their stories land in real-time. This authenticity is what sets the festival apart. It’s not just fringe acts putting their craft to the test; even established artists return to the stage to gauge how their work resonates. There is something grounding and affirming about debuting a piece here at NAF, before taking it to bigger stages elsewhere. And this past weekend proved exactly that. Take, for instance, the debut works of this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist Award recipients. One standout was the breathtaking exhibition...

Izithukuthuku performance: Picture: Zivanai Matangi. Mzansi Theatre Review has officially landed at the 51st National Arts Festival in Makhanda, Eastern Cape. Day one proceeded without a hitch, setting the tone for an unforgettable experience. After a two-hour flight from Jozi, we touched down at Gqeberha's Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, followed by a scenic one-and-a-half-hour drive to Makhanda. Known as the cultural hub, Makhanda is already buzzing with excitement as musicians, comedians, dancers, theatre makers, visual artists, and art lovers from across the country and the continent start flocking into this historic town for South Africa’s most anticipated annual celebration of African creativity and storytelling. We will be here for the first half of the eleven-day cultural extravaganza, and we’re more than ready to soak it all in. We made our first stop at the iconic 1820 Settlers National Monument, referred to as The Monument . Then it was off to The Long Table,...