Play shatters the stigma attached to ‘evil’ sangomas

Cast members of Spirit and Bones, from left, Thandeka Shangase, Zwakele Gazu, Thobani Nzuza and Sfundo Maphumulo. Picture: Val Adamson

Cast members of Spirit and Bones, from left, Thandeka Shangase, Zwakele Gazu, Thobani Nzuza and Sfundo Maphumulo. Picture: Val Adamson

Published Aug 11, 2015

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Valencia Govindasamy

WHEN you hear the words “traditional healer”, it resonates with many as a witch doctor, with the notion being, evil, dark and unholy. DUT’s production of Spirit and Bones addresses this uniformed stigma, aiming to correct this perception. Directed by DUT lecturer, Siza Mthembu, with musical direction by Sizwe Nzimande, the title of the production refers to traditional healers (in Zulu, abangoma).

Mthembu reveals how it came about: “It has always been a request from members of the audience who follow us here at the drama department. When I saw the production at the Grahamstown festival, I was impressed and then decided to do it. Thapelo “Mthakathi” Motloung originally wrote Spirit and Bones in English. As it is a significant piece on our cultural landscape, I decided to translate it into Zulu in order to present it this year as DUT’s annual Zulu drama. We have been rehearsing the work and it will be performed by a cast of some 40 second-year students. A particular attraction is the wealth of traditional music featured in the play, which I felt was important for our students to get to know.”

Elaborating on the themes the play touches on, that being the stigma of traditional healers being associated with evil, he says: “The production sings the praises of abangoma through music, dance and drama, while celebrating their roles in our society from days gone by to present day, as individuals who uphold and preserve the local traditions, culture and heritage of this continent.”

In terms of what’s going down on stage, the director says it will feature popular gospel tunes as well as arrangements from Joyous Celebration. Thereafter, a dance routine will be performed.

“Scripts are carefully selected, so this is fitting for this year’s group. And as a lay minister of the Anglican Church, people (congregants) will be surprised at the kind of production I decided on.”

Asked about the challenges he faced, he says: “The biggest challenge was getting the script on time as our writer is based in Joburg. However, we worked in segments until we had it done. Another challenge was sharing the cast with other departmental productions as we know that our department is very busy and that’s what makes us popular and different from other drama departments as we are the only conservatory department.”

l The show runs at the DUT Courtyard Theatre, Thursday to Saturday at 7pm. R40, R20 for students, pensioners. Call Lebo at 031 3732194

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