Zabalaza to showcase young talent at Baxter
THE Zabalaza Festival is returning to the Baxter this week under new curatorship.
Mdu Kweyama is the curator of the eighth annual festival, which sees some exciting additions, including a family carnival weekend and innovative new works by young directors.
Kweyama, no stranger to theatre lovers, won the 2016 Fleur du Cap Best Director Award for his body of work which includes Woza Albert and Reza de Wet’s Missing. He is also the associate director of King Kong, which was staged at the Fugard last year and returned due to popular demand for a second run this year.
Speaking about the the festival, Kweyama said in terms of the focus, there were many productions centred on the national issues of education and politics.
“We have scouted out appropriate productions and last year, out of 60 shows we viewed, we chose 27. This year will see 30 productions.
“Many contenders send their proposals to us to consider their work; and the main thing is to showcase young and fresh talent – as always.”
Kweyama has a strong background in theatre, with a Master’s degree in directing from UCT and says there is a wonderful programme in the pipeline that includes puppet shows, dance and much, much more.
“There are some really beautiful shows – and if you pose the question ‘why Zabalaza?’ the answer is simple: to give that much-needed public support to up-and-coming young talent.
“Ninety five percent of the people showcased are from the townships and need a hand up; and young students also get a chance to demonstrate their work,” he says.
The festival takes place from tomorrow until March 17. The artistic director is Bongile Mantsai, with Zoleka Helesi as co-ordinator and Lauren Hannie as administrator.
The Family Carnival Weekend takes place on Saturday and Sunday. Organisers say all venues at the Baxter will have entertainment for the family. There’ll be a jumping castle and face painting for kids, food stalls and more.
The weekend ends on a high note with a stand-up comedy show for the adults on Saturday evening. Mpondo Zihlanjiwe headlines the show with his Xhosa act and, for the first time at the Baxter, 13 comedians will be doing their funny acts in their mother tongue – watch out for Siya Seya and Khanyisa Bunu and other comedians from Polokwane, KZN, Eastern Cape and Cape Town.
The best of the festival’s productions will be selected from the main programme, along with several other awards in various categories next Saturday afternoon, allowing the winner to get a full run at the Baxter later in the year.
Changes this year include a platform for special talent in which three young directors, Chuma Sopotela, Thando Mzembe and Bulelani Mabutyana, will be showcased as part of the main programme with the possibility of one of the shows being staged as a Baxter production.
Game Changers is a new initiative in which the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCAS) commissioned 60 Zabalaza and Assitej trained drama coaches to train pupils from schools in outlying areas, who produced plays; the best of which will be chosen to be part of the main programme.
Zabalaza this year is offering anyone who participated in the main programme a bursary from City Varsity to complete a threeyear course.
Booking for the 8th Annual Zabalaza Festival at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio is through Webtickets on 086 111 0005, online at www.webtickets.co.za or at selected Pick n Pay outlets.
For discounted school or group block bookings, email sharon. ward@uct.ac.za or Carmen Kearns on 021 680 3993 or email her at carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za
‘There are some really beautiful shows – and if you pose the question ‘why Zabalaza?’ the answer is simple.’