Makwerekwere, Theatre
Venue: Dicks
Next performance: Tuesday 1 July 16:00
Review
By Thubelihle Mathonsi
Makwerekwere, which explores the topic of xenophobia and hate, illuminates just how much words can affect people. It is not afraid of calling out its grievances with the system and naming some political figures. The role of the press and journalists is also highlighted. The show asks who is in control and who gives those people control.
The audience is given enough trust to pick up on very subtle gestures without the killer ever being mentioned. Throughout the show, even as you wait for the reveal, Makwerekwere does not offer that satisfaction. Screams of pain unsettle in a way that keeps the show lingering in your head long after you have left the theatre.
This made me wonder how many of the people responsible for the killing of people during the xenophobic attacks of 2008 still walk the streets freely and we are none the wiser about it.
The call for unity is present throughout. The production’ s soundscapes play a big part in tying everything together through the repeated use of the words “African” and “unity”‘, and talking about a painful sensitive subject with care. “What happened in 2008 was an act of criminality and here in South Africa we hate criminals” says one of the characters, hearkening back to the events that influenced the writing of this story.
I felt the excruciating pain through the father’s portrayal of loss and saw just how far hatred can go. It is easy to feel safe when committing acts of hate in a mob, but those who are harmed are scarred forever.
“Life has become meaningless” says one character. Along with him you believe this to be true.
