The inside story
The Moth flits back to Joburg for a night of captivating, personal, authentic stories
Launched in the US in 1997 by writer George Dawes Green, The Moth has become a global phenomenon. Since its inception, people who’ve taken part in the projects have shared more than 60,000 personal stories to audiences around the world through platforms such as live storytelling events, The Moth Podcast (with more than 100-million downloads in 2022), storytelling workshops, and books. The Moth Mainstage events turn stories into theatre with candid, note-free, immersive accounts which connect people by highlighting the diversity and commonality of all humans.
THE EVENT
After a sold-out event in 2016, The Moth returns to Joburg next Saturday for a night of captivating, personal, authentic stories. Five storytellers and a host will take the stage to share a 10- to 12-minute personal story that’s true as remembered by the storyteller, but crafted by a Moth story director.
South Africa’s Nsovo Mayimele will be joined on stage by four other storytellers, including Türkiye-based, Syriaborn Mohammad Jasem and Kenya’s Webster Makombe. The theme for the evening is “Power and Possibility”, intended to inspire the audience to imagine the possibilities that could unfold when we tap into our own power. The production is directed by Sarah Austin
Jenness and Jodi Powell, and hosted by Joburg-based Lebo Mashile.
“You’ll hear stories of rolling the dice for a lucky break and entering the arena for a fighting chance — digging deep, asking what’s next, and leaping into the unknown,” says Jenness. “What happens when you find courage, step into power and realise what’s possible? It will be a night of hilarious, heartbreaking, authentic stories,” says Powell.
At the heart of the initiative is the impulse that people naturally have to connect — even from different backgrounds and walks of life — by sharing what it means to be human and empathetic, and by telling extraordinary personal stories from everyday lives.
THE STORYTELLERS
Mohammad Jasem (From Syria, lives in Türkiye): Studied cardiology at Aleppo Hospital. Due to the Syrian conflict, he returned to Raqqa in 2012, where he worked at his clinic and with non-governmental organisations, helping refugees and victims of war.
Nsovo Mayimele (Johannesburg): Pharmacist and lecturer. Mayimele worked for corporate, government and academic institutions and has vast volunteer experience. Her work in health care has won her multiple awards, including being recognised as one of the Mail & Guardian Influential Young South Africans in 2016, and receiving a National Ubuntu Award from the minister of international relations & co-operation in 2023.
Webster Makombe (Zimbabwe): Food systems activist and nutrition advocate. He’s a core group member of the Act4Food campaign, spearheading “valuing local and indigenous food knowledge and strengthening local food systems”. Makombe is a pro bono lawyer at Justice for Children, a local NGO in Zimbabwe that provides legal aid for children whose rights have been infringed, and children in conflict with the law.
Host: Lebo Mashile: Award-winning writer, performer, producer, actress and activist, Mashile is a South African household name most recognisable for her lyrical and gutsy poetry which has captivated audiences in 38 countries. Her poetry collection, In a Ribbon of Rhythm, won the NOMA Award for Publishing in Africa. Mashile’s second collection is Flying Above the Sky. In 2017, Mashile released her second studio album, titled Moya, in collaboration with singer/songwriter Majola. She currently appears in the drama series, Classified, on Netflix.
The story behind the name, The Moth, comes from Green’s memories of growing up in St. Simons Island, Georgia, “where neighbours would gather late at night on a friend’s porch to tell stories and drink bourbon as moths flew in through the broken screens and circled the porch light”.
The Moth, one night only, Saturday, March 16, 6.15pm at UJ Arts & Culture’s Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre. Early bird tickets are R80 on Ticketmaster.