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Theatre play 'The Suit' challenges disruptive societal gender norms

28 July 2023 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Supplied

Tackling issues of gender-based violence through screenplay, the UFS Department of Drama and Theatre Arts, in collaboration with the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice, rolled out a theatre production of The Suit – an adaption of a short story by legendary South African writer, Can Themba.

Through the adaptation of the short novel into a theatre piece, the production calls on the UFS community to challenge disruptive societal norms that have been normalised, to challenge traditional gender roles, and to foster open dialogue on issues plaguing society today.

The play kicked off its inaugural performance on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus on 25 July 2023.

Unearthing societal plagues that have maintained prevalence throughout the years

The story is set in Apartheid South Africa and revolves around the story of Philemon and Matilda, a couple deeply in love until betrayal disrupts their relationship. As a black man in Sophiatown, Philemon, a doting husband, faces insurmountable pressure to conform to societal expectations regarding manhood, marriage, and fidelity. At the same time, Matilda crumbles under the resentment of the pressures of being a wife. Philemon’s discovery of Matilda's affair leads to a series of tragic events, as toxic manifestations of jealousy and abuse of power mark Philemon's response to the betrayal. He forces Matilda to wear her lover's suit as a constant reminder of her infidelity, subjecting her to humiliation and emotional torment. The play was followed by a panel discussion aimed at helping the audience to connect the themes addressed with their day-to-day lives.

Prof Colin Chasi, Director of the Unit for Institutional Change and Social Justice, said the play was tied to the unit's Values Programme, which is being rolled out institutionally. “The integrated partnership shows the efficacy of student-led interventions when these are given institutional backing,” he said.

Prof Chasi said that the production challenged today's attitudes, practices, and cultures of gender-based violence. “Stage productions have great power to speak meaningfully to people. In many ways, The Suit is consistent with our decolonial values. It says our stories matter, and we can continue to elevate ourselves by recalling and reclaiming them.”

The Suit shows on the Bloemfontein Campus on 27 July and 1 August in the Albert Wessels Auditorium, and on 31 July in the Madiba Arena on the South Campus.

News Archive

Official opening: UFS earmarks R10-million to support national priorities

2006-02-06

The University of the Free State (UFS) is to align key areas of its academic and research efforts with national priorities through the introduction of five strategic clusters which would be funded by seedmoney of R10-million in 2006.

Speaking at the Official Opening of the UFS on Friday (3 February 2006), the Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Frederick Fourie, said the academic and research work that will be done in the five strategic clusters would contribute to the development of Mangaung, the Free State, South Africa and Africa.

“It makes sense to concentrate the university’s human resources, our infrastructure, financial resources and intellectual expertise to ensure that the UFS makes a contribution to the country and the African continent,” Prof Fourie said.

“Strategic clusters will be organised on the basis that these areas of knowledge could become in the short term the flagships of the UFS, meaning those areas where the university currently has or in the very near future is likely to have some competitive advantage,” Prof Fourie said.

According to Prof Fourie, this strategic-cluster approach will be in line with the approach being designed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to take national priorities into account and would enhance the quality of scholarship at the UFS.

The five strategic areas in which research and academic investment at the UFS will be clustered are the following:

Enabling technologies / Technology for the future;
Food production, quality and food security for Africa;
Development;
Social transformation;
Water resource and ecosystem management;

“Such strategic clusters are understood not only as research areas but as areas that also encompass strong undergraduate and particularly postgraduate teaching and a potentially solid scientific basis for service learning and community service research,” Prof Fourie said.

Within each of these clusters specific niche areas will be identified. Clusters could focus on one or more aspects of a particular discipline or could involve more than one discipline in researching a particular issue.

He said not all academic work and research being done at the UFS would be clustered in this way. Sufficient resources and support have been put in place for general research excellence in the past five years.

“Some of the spin-offs can have an important impact on industrial development, for example in the chemicals industry and may also create a basis for cooperation with provincial, national and international partners,” he said.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 February 2006

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