From shack to stage: Dunoon playwright scoops awards

Article initially printed on GroundUp By Peter Luhanga

A play about anti-apartheid activist Onkgopotse Tiro has catapulted a Dunoon playwright from his casual settlement shack to the intense lights of the Baxter Theatre, with Joburg theatres beckoning.

“Tiro’s Toughloop Testimony”, a play written by 37-year-old Ayanda ka Nobakabona was the large winner at this yr’s Zabalaza Theatre Pageant on the Baxter Theatre, scooping awards for Finest Script, Finest Actor, and the Best of the Pageant award, shared with Oorwinnings Reis and Lamentations.

The pageant, held from 24 to 31 March, showcased 37 productions.

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Ka Nobakabona lives in a two-room shack in Dunoon’s Zwelitsha casual settlement. He has no electrical energy or working water.

“I wrote the script after intense analysis. I learn lots,” stated Ka Nobakabona.

He stated the play is predicated on a speech Tiro delivered on the College of the North in 1972. Tiro was killed in exile in Botswana.

“The play zooms into his life, from a younger age rising up, scholar politics and finally his sudden dying,” stated Ka Nobakabona.

“We’re giving our historical past life by telling our tales many times in a singular approach.”

He plans to work on the play additional

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He plans to work on the play additional and to take it “to all of the festivals that exist on the market”. We hope, if we get funds, to take it to Joburg. Joburgers will relate to the story as a result of the story is predicated within the former Transvaal.”

For Ka Nobakabona, artwork is schooling. “In as a lot as artwork entertains, the primary goal is to coach. Sure, you could have individuals who do artwork only for leisure, for business functions, however years later that artwork is lifeless. However while you shift into schooling you get an opportunity to affect on somebody’s life.”

Ka Nobakabona additionally carried out in his personal play, and “Tiro’s Toughloop Testimony” was directed by Mfundo Zono, who has 17 years of expertise within the performing arts.

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Zono stated he discovered Ka Nobakabona’s script “thought-provoking”, with “writing that challenges the best way we consider schooling.”

“Everyone knows about Biko and others, however we by no means heard of Tiro.”

“Tiro’s Toughloop Testimony “is 55 minutes, however Ka Nobakabona says he’ll develop the script, including about 20 minutes.

With help from the Baxter Theatre, the full-length model will go into rehearsals and be carried out, together with the opposite two Best of the Pageant award winners, on the Baxter Theatre towards the top of the yr.

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