Student drama looks at ambition and true glory

A DRAMA centred on Queen Ntombazi of the Ndwandwe people, who uses dark magic to ensure her son, Zwide, becomes the most powerful king, opens in Durban tonight.

Performed in Zulu and featuring 45 drama students from the Durban University of Technology under the direction of drama lecturer, Siza KaMnisi Mthembu, the production is titled

It runs until Tuesday at the Stable Theatre in the Warwick Triangle area, as part of Heritage Month celebrations.

Written by AH Dladla and set in the 1800s, the play features secondyear students.

Pride and Nolwazi Ngcobo, share the role of Ntombazi, while Sipho Zakwe and Simemezelo Xulu alternate as King Zwide.

Sbusiso Ngcobo plays King Dingiswayo, and Kwenza Ngcobo and Lucky Gcumisa share the role of Shaka.

“The tale focuses on Queen Ntombazi’s being prone to beheading leaders of nations and using them in witchcraft. She successfully kills King Dingiswayo of the Mthethwa clan, who raised the young Shaka of the Zulu clan as his own,” says a spokesman.

“The Zulus become powerful and defeat Zwide’s men. In the end Queen Ntombazi is defeated by King Shaka and the Zulus grow into a mighty nation.”

The choreography is by Mduduzi Mtshali, and the musical composition by Aphiwe Namba, a third-year drama student.

The drama will be performed at 6 every night, and a 3pm matinee has been scheduled for Sunday.

Tickets for the production cost R40 (R15 for students) and booking is at Computicket outlets.