Naeb/Naelstring, Theatre Venue: St Andrews Hall Review By Nicole Palmer Naeb/Naelstring is a story shaped around the history of the first people and oldest tribe of South Africa; the Khoisan. The play explores the injustices they faced and the principle that knowing your identity shapes how you see yourself and gives you a sense of belonging. Naeb tells the story of a people whose culture has been diluted and revives forgotten narratives the world needs to hear. History branded them with the term ‘coloured,’ a colonial term. Playwright and director Geralt Cloete highlights the value of authenticity – only those…
Author: Nicole Palmer
Read More
KEMET- Black Lands/ Alkamal Walkamal Almutlaq- Completeness and Absolute Wholeness, Dance and Physical Theatre Review By Nicole Palmer “It’s my story, it’s my digest of frustration, it’s my confusion within my own culture” is what Standard Bank Young Artist Asanda Ruda said when asked what message she was trying to convey through the captivating dance which saw her leave her heart on the stage. Ruda started off her performance with a solo dance through which she commanded the attention of her territory. The show started with a dark, solemn room, with only one spotlight that focused on her as she…
Nicole Palmer set out on a quest to find the best food served during the Festival. Church Square: It is the place to be if you are a hustler. Although there aren’t many food stalls, it is certainly a place that is loved by many. The stalls have this feeling of connectivity; it feels like families in a neighbourhood where the kids play outside in the streets and everyone knows each other’s names and stories. Village Green felt like quite the opposite: a neighbourhood in the suburbs where everyone ignored each other but had all the nicest things. The ultimate question: what is the…
Kompoun, Theatre Venue: Great Hall Next Screening: Tuesday, July 1, 12:00 Review By Nicole Palmer Most of us know the metaphor, “blood is thicker than water”. For the McKinney family tree, this statement is not true. This family treats tension like it is tradition. Played by two performers, Melissa De Vries-Joseph (as Nadia) and Angelo Bergh (as Xavier), Kompoun tells the story of many South African families. This play does not beat around the bush; it addresses real-life issues in a funny and relatable way. Told entirely in Afrikaans, the play pulls in its audience through an experience of language…
ASANDA RUDA Profile: 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance By Langelihle Elsie Skade and Nicole Palmer Thousands of kilometres away from her home in Soweto, South Africa, Asanda Ruda nestled into her chair, her feet casually tucked beneath her as if the world had paused just for her. The 31-year-old dancer and choreographer, who has been named the 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist Award winner for dance, talked to Grocott’s Mail from Paris, France, about this accolade. “When receiving the news, I was frozen. Even now, I’m still in disbelief,” she said. Her clothes whispered of ease – soft…
By Nicole Palmer Professor Matshediso Mohapeloa was greeted by a crowd full of friends and loved ones as she stood in the centre of the room whilst Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela delivered her introduction. He praised Mohapeloa for her diverse teaching portfolio and spoke to her research interests, achievements, and future goals. Born and bred in Gqeberha, she carries with her the grounded perspective and tenacity often shaped by the Eastern Cape – a region known not only for its challenges, but also for cultivating leaders who understand the value of perseverance, community, and purpose. In her current role, she…
By Nicole Palmer Linguist Kwesi Kwaa Prah, champion of African languages, spoke about his passion during a graduation ceremony honouring his lifetime commitment to securing the position of mother tongue languages. One could almost hear the disappointment in his voice when he said, “Look at Asia. Asia was colonised, and they still speak their own languages.” And we could feel the writer scolding us for not speaking our mother tongue languages in our African countries. The writer has lived and worked in nine countries, spreading his knowledge and love for African languages wherever he goes. He does have one concern.…
By Ndalo Mbombo and Nicole Palmer In the morning session of the first day of graduation, Rhodes University honoured advocate Paul Pretorius for his lifelong commitment to the fight for human rights and social justice. As evidence leader of the State Capture Commission, he played an essential role in the legal landscape of South Africa, standing up for what he believed in. “Make your decisions according to the value system that you hold,” Pretorius advised the 2024 graduates at his ceremony on Wednesday. He also said that this week’s recognition helped him realise his fight had been worthwhile. Visibly…
By Phila-Nathi Mapisa and Dideka Njemla The literary world has come to a standstill. We are in mourning. A giant has fallen. Athol Fugard, born on 11 June 1932, died on 8 March 2025, leaving a legacy that will echo through the generations. Fugard was a playwright, novelist, actor, director, and teacher. His works reflected the realities of South Africans, capturing identity, oppression, and resilience with raw honesty. He was a master of his craft, a storyteller who understood that sometimes the most political act is simply telling the truth. Rhodes University honoured Fugard in 1983 with a doctorate in…