PLAY EXPOSES DESPOTS, WARNS YOUTH TO STAND
WITH his latest play
activist and theatre director Sello Maseko is introducing the public to the world of politicians.
The play opened at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani on Tuesday. It ends on Sunday.
is written and directed by Maseko and produced by a black-owned female company, Agang Productions.
Maseko says the show will give theatre goers a sneak peek of what goes down when politicians meet, and what they think of you as a voter. He says the play seeks to highlight the fact SA needs young blood in leadership to take it forward.
is set in a fictional African country called Republic, and is inspired by the true stories around our ailing African democracies.
“Absolute power corrupts. The truth is most African countries suffer from this malaise of despotic rulers owning their countries and forgetting about the people.
“In South Africa we do not have leadership. When appointed to power people start with the looting before thinking about people. Cadre deployment is killing us.”
The play addresses issues of leadership crisis, colonial patterns, racial segregation, hegemonic struggle, governance and reconciliation in Africa. It is told through characters Jackson and Phindile who are childhood sweethearts.
They are founders of a strong militant youth movement, which fought and defeated the imperialist regime.
“On the eve of democracy, the imperialist forces came on board to deceive Jackson. He agrees to dine with them and then, the loopholes start to open as they trick him to betray Phindile, and this act changes the course of history.”
Maseko points out that the story was inspired by president Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi. Maseko, who was born in Winterveld north of Pretoria, says the play takes a critical look at democracy and how it was attained.
He says voters in South Africa are not aware about the power they possess to change the country. The lack of knowledge has made them to allow politicians to dance on top of their heads.
A member of ANCYL in Soshanguve, he says because people are afraid to be ostracised they decide to die silently.
The Rocks in the story represents protagonist and antagonists, while Roses symbolise women.
Also catch the play at Olive Tree Theatre in Alexandra from September 21-24.