The Read Aunt Mzansi

Roelf Matlala's writing and directing come alive in 'Man Alone' - a play that explores the theme of Gender Based Violence in a way that forces the audience to look society, and themselves in the eye. The main character - Sam, played by Sebone Lekatse - is a blatant representation of society - using 'jokes' that are seemingly harmless with violent undertones to address socioeconomic issues. We often hide behind banter and humour to shy away from issues that affect and need us to face them head-on. A trauma response at most. Set between two homes of neighbours that seemingly aborh each other's presence; Sam, the old man-cum-'Plant Parent', and the other of a learned couple comprising of a Dentist and School Principal - a combination, which, according to Sam is a recipe for disaster because, "no man in his right mind would marry a dentist," something we later learn why.  Charity Sehlapelo who played Kgadi - the Dentist - d...

I am a firm believer in that, what you seek, is seeking you. It’s been six years since ‘Nwelezelanga: The Star Child’ came out and in as much as I would have loved to have read it then, it wasn’t the right time. I didn’t know as much as I do now, and the answers to the questions I’m asking now, I wouldn’t have comprehended then. I wasn’t ready to receive all this light. "The wise ones usually say that there is knowing in the knowing that one doesn't know." Our protagonist – Nwelezelanga – is an albino child borne to Nokwakha, whom unfortunately, doesn’t get to raise this child that she wept for because her midwife is under the rule of an evil reign led by Lord Bubi. The midwife convinces Nokwakha that this child is a bad omen so she should be killed. After much persuasion, the exhausted and baffled mother gives up the only thing that she hoped would bring meaning to her life. And so the journey of being born again begins. The end becomes the beginning. ...