Morwalo, Theatre
Venue: Centenary Hall
Review
By ‘Maleruo Leponesa
Morwalo is a Setswana word meaning burden. The play is aptly named as it relates to the weight of cultural and societal expectations placed on black men and the heavy consequences of these, particularly in the grips of the current backbreaking economy. The two main characters, Lesego and Odirile find themselves caught in the crossfire of being left carrying the yoke of family issues whilst still dealing with their personal challenges of unemployment and mental health problems.
The two spend most of their time at the taxi rank, selling snacks and refreshments to commuters. This is the place where they share most of their moments – happy or sad. Despite their entrepreneurial hustling, they still can’t make ends meet. Lesego is saddled with the responsibility of taking care of his younger sister, a load he inherited when their parents died and which seems never ending as she remains unemployed and producing children with men who abdicate any financial contribution. As if to add insult to injury, Lesogo must face the pain of his own infertility, resulting from a childhood injury.
Odirile’s anxieties include a heavily pregnant girlfriend and his aunt who constantly calls in ‘financial favours’ with endless reminders of all the things she says she did for Odirile when he was growing up.
Many members of the audience will find the characters’ woes wholly relatable, with so many folk these days having experienced firsthand the phenomenon known as “black tax”. This well-crafted and powerfully portrayed production tells an all too familiar tale of those who are already feeling the squeeze of economic pressures being the ones who are forced to add still more onto what they must shoulder.
