iLembe, produced by Soweto Theatre in association with Sibikwa Arts Centre received nine Naledi Theatre Awards nominations last night at The Market Theatre.
Written by Sibikwa Arts Centre directors Smal Ndaba and Phyllis Klotz in co-operation with Balungile Dlamini, Bhoyi Ngema (†), Andries Mbali and Jeremy Richard, the play was also directed by Ndaba and Klotz.
iLembe is a powerful play that depicts the last few months of the life of Shaka kaSenzangakhona, better known as Shaka Zulu, whose statesmanship and vigour marked him as one of the most prominent Zulu kings in history. His story is told through the eyes of Shaka’s interpreter Jackot Msimbithi, the young Englishman Henry Fynn, Shaka’s attendant Mbopha, and his sister Nomcoba, while two female musicians playing traditional instruments form the chorus.
iLembe’s innovative reinterpretation of this icon’s story is what surely caught the Naledi’s judges’ attention. What makes this play so unique is the way this traditional story is told through re-interpretation, contemporary dance, originally composed music and soundscapes.
“iLembe creates some profound storytelling by giving the audience four very different interspliced narratives, contrasting the written received word with the oral tradition,” explains Phyllis Klotz.
The Naledi Theatre Awards judges have nominated iLembe, and its cast and crew, in the following categories; Sarah Roberts for Best Theatre Set Design, Sarah Roberts for Best Costume Design, Gladman Balintulo for Best Sound Design, Oscar Buthelezi for Best Original Choreography, Tholani ‘Khoni’ Miya for Best Supporting Actress in a Play, Alesandro Mendes for Best Supporting Actor in a Play, Busisiwe Nyunudu for Best Performance in Play: Female, Andries Babalo Mbali for Best Performance in Play: Male, and the play also received a nomination in the category Best New South African Script.
“We are very excited that an arts centre such as Sibikwa, with limited resources, could mount such a large scale production and gain recognition for it,” says Klotz. “We can play in an informal settlement one day and a fully equipped theatre the next. We are not stuck in one mode and service the entire community.”
She says Sibikwa is most grateful to the Naledi’s for this recognition. “We work very hard in the performing arts for little financial reward and it is rare that our community can get together and celebrate our achievements. The Naledi Awards offer us such an opportunity to come together and to acknowledge and reward our peers.”
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