In 2019, the SPU Drama Group will feature at Makhanda’s 45th National Arts Festival on the Fringe Programme with their play Buried Seeds by Thabo Gabogope and Mishka Tobias.
Buried Seeds is a dual language play in Setswana and English that questions the inheritance of political power.
It is set in a desolate community in Ipelegeng near Schweizer-Reneke which is home to shattered dreams and hopes. The central character is the Mayor who, in his search for justice for his mother, neglects his duties as a leader.
The community is left to fend for themselves and deal with the death of 10 young people that are killed in a stampede.
The cast comprises Wendy Appolis, Oratile Senokwane, Mamotse Tsinyane, Magasenna Damane, Keaobaka Gasenmore, Oratile Mokwa and Keitumetse Makgolokwe, who are directed by Thabo Gabogope and Neo Mathbobisa. The Stage Managers are Fikile Sithole and Surita Jacobs.
Buried Seeds will be staged on 5 and 6 July 2019 in the Masonic Front theatre area.
The SPU Drama Group debuted in 2017 at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda when they performed Lerothodi la sebukwabukwane by Thabo Moshe.
The National Arts Festival is an annual festival of performing arts.
It is the largest arts festival on the African continent and was established in 1973. It consists of the main programme and a fringe festival, with a combined total of 350 events with over 1,200 performances.
Fringe productions that are innovative, original and creatively outstanding will receive the Standard Bank Ovation Awards.
The awards provide recognition, offers of extended tours, opportunities to perform internationally, increased funding opportunities and an invitation to submit a proposal for the following year’s Arena programme.