Sizwe Banzi is Dead: Theatre
Venue: Centenary Hall
Review
By Nomfundo Mbatha
Have you ever watched a show that is so good, you do not want it to end? That is how this show was. A full house of old and young filled the theatre, buzzing with excitement, laughter, and deep reflection as Sizwe Banzi is Dead took the stage and what a performance it was! Directed by Xabiso Zweni and performed masterfully by Anele Penny and Zweni himself, this timeless classic struck a powerful harmony with the audience.
Written by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona, the play is a powerful blend of humour and heartbreak, showing us both the joy and the trauma of black life during apartheid South Africa. From the very first scene, we were welcomed by Styles (played by Penny), a former factory worker turned spirited photographer, whose storytelling had the audience in stitches. His comedic timing and charisma filled the room, but behind the laughter his monologue held truth of survival, pride, and the power of preserving one’s identity. The connection he had with us as his audience: we started singing, responding to what he was saying or singing. The performance took you to the times where the play was based.
Then came the story of Sizwe Banzi, brought to life with deep emotion by Zweni. Through Sizwe’s struggle to find work and his heartbreaking decision to assume another man’s identity. The play brings the cruel reality of the dompass system to the forefront and how black people were treated as numbers, and not human beings. It highlighted how difficult it was to find work and navigate through the town without the correct papers.
The chemistry between the two actors was undeniable. The least set and clever use of supports allowed the performers’ raw talent to shine. The audience was in stitches often breaking out in loud laughter, but there were also moments where they sighed, and at times sat in heavy silence, reflecting on the wounds of the past that still move through our present day.
This production was more than just theatre it was a collective moment of remembrance, resistance, and celebration. Sizwe Banzi is Dead is a must-see, it reminds us of where we come from, what we overcame to get to where we are and why we must never forget.
