In Chapter 2 Section 9, of South Africa’s constitution - the right to gender equality and sexual orientation is intricately laid out. But the reality is very different - with the chilling, increasing prevalence of sexual/gender hate crimes such as the so called “corrective rape”.
In her play, Chapter 2 Section 9, Joburg based Phyllis Klotz who heads Sibkwa Arts Centre brings the spectrum of hate crimes to the surface as she presents the stories of 40 women who have been at the receiving end of violence and discrimination.
The award-winning four-hander is on in the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio from February 28 to March 11.
Klotz co-founded Sibikwa Arts Centre in Benoni in 1988. In 2005 she received the Naledi Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the arts in South Africa.
Throughout her career, Klotz has embraced politically charged content- particularly issues which affect women. The cast features Ayanda Rose Fali, Khanyisa Nanase, Tsholofelo Ross and Ayanda Sibisi. Nanase and Ross trained at Sibikwa. They are accompanied by musician Isaac Molelekoa, who composed original music for the production.
Set and costumes are by award-winning Sarah Roberts; lighting by Stan Knight. Research and interviews by Collen Mfazwe and Janneke Strijdonk-Xulu and translations by Ndaba.
What motivated Klotz to do this play now?
“Two things activated me to do the play. Last year was 60 years since the women’s march to Pretoria but I had no desire to do a revival of You Strike the Woman You Strike the Rock (her seminal 1986 play which she workshopped with colleagues and which took its name from the signature chant of the 1956 women’s march to the Union Building in Pretoria, to protest the Pass Laws).
“The second and most importantly is: we read about these terrible crimes in the media or see something about them on TV. After that we get on with our lives. Theatre offers a lived experience which touches both the head and the heart.
“If the play resonates with you - stays with you for days -and keeps the issues in the forefront of your mind - then it perhaps inspiresyou to act or gives you a better understanding of the situation.”
As to the format of the play, Klotz explains: “The text is taken verbatim from the interviews with women (18-40) in Gauteng, KZN, and Eastern Cape.
I have edited the stories and grouped them around certain themes from women of all races... The actors step forward and tell their story with a hint of character and appropriate accent... “The stories themselves are emotional some harrowing we underplay the emotion let the story speak for itself.
Phyllis Klotz, director of Chapter 2 Section 9. Picture: Robyn Cohen
“Isaac Molelekoa worked closely with us throughout the process writing material; training the cast to sing the songs. Our inspiration for the music was the East European women’s choirs particularly the famous Bulgarian Choirs.”
Klotz said: “The play is about the human condition which is full of contradictions. There are humorous moments... There are touching moments, the stories are told with compassion and authenticity without schmaltz. They give insight into what it means to be a gay woman in South Africa.”
Klotz was born in Cape Town and graduated from UCT and it has been five years, since Sibikwa toured here. At its premiere at last year’s National Arts Festival (2016) in Grahamstown, it scooped an Ovation Award. That was followed by stagings at the 969 Festival, Wits University, POPArt Theatre in Maboneng and the Vavasati Women’s Festival at the State Theatre in Pretoria.
Chapter 2 Section 9 is on February 28 to March 11 at 7.30pm, with matinees for schools, on March 2 and 9 at 11am and matinees for the public on Saturdays March 4 and 11 at 3pm. There is an age restriction of 16 years. Tickets are R120 to R150. Book through Computicket.