THEATRE: Asinamali!Review by MBASAKAZI MAKUBALO On the prison yard on Robben Island, Nelson Mandela told Msizi Dube: “Go and do it for all of us, for all our people. So, one day we may join you in a free South Africa.” First performed at the National Arts Festival in 1988, Asinamali is back. This time, producer Thapelo Mokgosi adds a subtle but exciting twist to Mbongeni Ngema’s play – it is performed by an all-women cast. Set against the backdrop of Robben Island, the play follows the lives of five black prisoners in 1983. It was inspired by the events…
Author: Mbasakazi Makubalo
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MUSIC: Eastern Cape EnsembleReview by MBASAKAZI MAKUBALO Adla ngokuthi amaXhosa, umntu ngumntu ngabantu! Eastern Cape Ensemble joins hands in celebrating the life of John Knox Bokwe at the NAF. Photo: Siyamthanda Pongco. Nqandani magwala ndini! Zemka inkomo zoBawo. Masibuyelen’ embo mzo’ ontsundu! A Xhosa idiom that calls us to heed our roots. South Africa prides itself on its distinctive cultural and linguistic diversity. In the predominantly isiXhosa Eastern Cape are the ‘sub-nations’ of the Amamfengu, AmaXesibe, Mpondo, Amampondomise, Amahlubi… Exhibiting rich talent from diverse nationalities, the Eastern Cape Ensemble celebrated the life and times of John Knox Bokwe at this…
By OVAYO MILISA NOVUKELA and MBASAKAZI MAKUBALO Anger and frustration over several service delivery failures and delays that have been brewing for weeks reached the boiling point in Alicedale this week as protestors lit barricades in the streets and shut down Makana Municipality offices and the school, the clinic, the library and other offices in the struggling town. On Wednesday, the protests came to a head following a no-show on Tuesday by Makana Executive Mayor Yandiswa Vara at the Mayoral Imbizo roadshow meeting scheduled for 10 am on Tuesday. Marching for a cause. Photo: Mbasakazi Makubalo The Mayor countered that…
By MBASAKAZI MAKUBALO Home to a rich coffee culture, Makhanda’s baristas continue raising the bar. Famous Sisa’s on African Street offers some of the town’s most sought-after warm beverages to a diverse clientele. Owner Sisa Mapetu ‘s journeyed into the coffee industry in Gqeberha – where he was born and bred – in 2010. After taking a barista course in Robertson, he started a coffee shop. He travelled, won awards in barista championships, and his brand grew fast – thus ‘Famous Sisa’. His slogan Coffee ya Africa alludes to the origins of coffee, which can be traced back centuries to…