Can Themba story a sold-out success at Festival
The House of Truth, the story of Can Themba, made it's debut at the National Arts Festival this year.
Written by Grahamstownborn Siphiwo Mahala, the play tells a story of former journalist and assistant editor of Drum magazine, Can Themba.
Executed by a veteran and award winning actor Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, the play was witty and riveting and was completely sold out.
Mahala said he was inspired to write about Themba after learning that there was not much documentation about his life.
“I’m currently doing my PhD on Themba’s life history and I felt that more people beyond the academic sector need to know about the complex and fascinating life of this legendary writer.”
he writer was attracted to Themba because of his brilliance and his short story, The Suit.
“He was such a brilliant writer and The Suit is celebrated everywhere. I wanted to know about him not only in the Sophiatown context.”
He said he interacted with the likes of Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Don Mathera to find more information about his subject.
Mahala described Themba as a deeply rooted, kind intel- lectual: “You know he opened his house to the public.”
Themba graduated from Fort Hare University with a distinction in English.
He wrote several short stories including the The Will to Die and the most celebrated, The Suit.
Themba is also a recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga award in “Excellent achievement in literature, contributing to the field of journalism and striving for a just and democratic society in South Africa”.
“The story of Themba is the one that most of us can relate to. Most issues are hauling us today.
Struggling to get recognition even though you are qualified... and not being fully paid.
Those are the things that Themba struggled with,” said Mahala.
He commended Ka-Ncube for playing an instrumental role in the production of the play.
“I just wrote the play and gave it to bra Sello who was able to identify people who would be suitable for various roles.”
He added that before the show, the Scandal and Rockville actor conducted workshops for upcoming local artists.
“It’s one of the important elements. It was never part of the plan but bra Sello went to Dakawa (Art and Craft Community Centre) and did workshops for local artists.
He said that the there was a possibility that they would take the show to Port Elizabeth.
The When A Man Cries author was uncertain about showing the play in Grahamstown: “I was nervous because there were more than 600 plays and I wasn’t sure if people would be attending.
“It’s a feeling beyond serendipity that I managed to premiere my debut stage play at the biggest festival in the southern hemisphere to sold-out audiences.”
He said as a Grahamstonian he grew up attending the festival as the audience.
“I attended my very first Festival as a little boy in 1988 and 28 years later I’m staging my own show.”
He extended his gratitude to the people who supported him.
“Words fail me. I can’t express the gratitude to the people who came to my show.” He added, “My excitement about this project should be understood in context.
The fact that I grew up in Grahamstown in the 1980s when the majority of people from the townships were re- duced into the margins, only participating as audiences, working as car guards and distributing flyers motivated me to be at the centre stage of the festival.
After 28 years of attending the Festival, I have managed to produce what is far one of the most popular shows at the festival. I’m grateful.”
People who missed the show “missed on wonderful experience and perspectives of a brilliant writer”.
Mahala said he was sorry that some people could not get tickets, however he would definitely bring the show back next year if the National Arts Festival accommodates them.