Show goes on after her axing
Mzansi Fela festival’s opening show sold out in spite of backlash over theatre dismissal
DESPITE recent backlash against The State Theatre in Pretoria following the sacking of its deputy artistic director Mamela Nyamza, the annual Mzansi Fela festival experienced a hyped opening on Sunday.
Singer-songwriter Zonke Dikana performed in a sold-out 1 300-seater theatre, while other productions such as Kwanele drew large audiences at the Arena Theatre.
“The dismissal of Nyamza did not have any impact on the opening of Mzansi Fela Festival,” said chief executive Sibongiseni Mkhize yesterday.
The acclaimed dancer and choreographer’s dismissal left the industry shocked last week and was followed by a backlash from the public and artists.
Nyamza was appointed in November last year.
Her key role was to provide support to the artistic director creatively and administratively, work closely with the Education Youth Children’s Theatre department, which focuses on the development of young artists in the industry, initiate development programmes to support the main programme, and ensure integration of the overall artistic programme.
Nyamza confirmed her dismissal in a short statement on Facebook last week.
However, the dancer could not state the reasons behind her sacking.
“I am forced to issue a very short statement because I have just seen that my dismissal from the State Theatre is on social media already.
“I want to confirm that I have
Maqoma said Nyamza’s dismissal was sending a strong signal that the long battle to have a dance curator in a state-funded institution was not yet a settled matter.
Last week, Mkhize said that the dancer’s dismissal wasn’t personal.
He added that her decision to undermine the disciplinary process deprived her of the opportunity to present her side of the story.
“We always ensure that the termination of an employment relationship with any of the staff members is treated with utmost care, dignity, respect and confidentiality.
“It is for that reason that the State Theatre has not been responding to social media remarks and allegations that have been made by Ms Nyamza and her associates.
“The institution wants to place on record that Ms Nyamza’s dismissal had nothing to do with the accusations that she and her associates have been making,” Mkhize said.
“Nyamza was subjected to a disciplinary process in accordance with the theatre’s disciplinary code and the labour laws of South Africa.
“It is important that the proceedings of the disciplinary hearing on November 14 are provided in detail because in one of the social media posts Ms Nyamza has alleged that she was summarily dismissed. It is a distortion of the truth that Nyamza was summarily dismissed.
“Nyamza was aware of the date, time and venue of the disciplinary hearing but elected not to attend, only sending legal representation,” he added.
Mkhize said the theatre opposed the presence of her lawyer because it was not in line with its disciplinary and grievance policy, and making exceptions would create an unsustainable precedent.
“With legal representation refused, the challenge for the chairperson was that she could not postpone the hearing because Nyamza was in contempt of the disciplinary process.”