Makhanda at NAF: Aviwe Dyantyi
Preview: The Weight of Silence
By Mohale Manyama
A homecoming play, The Weight of Silence promises an emotional solo performance by Aviwe Dyantyi, a two-time Rhodes University graduate with experience in both local and national productions.
Set entirely within a stark interrogation room, The Weight of Silence takes you inside the mind of a fallen leader who is struggling with the aftermath of his actions, addiction, corruption, and abuse of power. Through monologues and imagined conversations, the play draws audiences into his inner world, where denial gives way to guilt and silence screams louder than words.
With minimal staging, sharp lighting, and eerie sounds, every breath, pause, and flicker of emotion aims to hit hard. According to Dyantyi, it feels less like watching a play and more like witnessing someone’s deeply personal moment of truth.
Dyantyi brings a mix of technical skill and heartfelt emotion to this work. More than a character study, The Weight of Silence pushes viewers to think about their role in systems that maintain silence. Who do we tend to forgive too easily? What truths are we hiding?
Dyantyi said his return to Makhanda this Festival is his way of celebrating the city that shaped him, and sharing something special with its people.
For more information and to book tickets: https://tickets.nationalartsfestival.co.za/en/events/782/the-weight-of-silence
