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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

UFS academic discusses Dutch, Afrikaans and African languages

2006-05-22

During the colloquium presented in Belgium by the Province Antwerp were from the left Prof Pol Cuvelier (University of Antwerp), Prof Theo du Plessis (Director: Unit for Language Management at the UFS), Mr Ludo Helsen (Permanent Deputy: Province of Antwerp) and Mr Jean-Pierre Rondas (Flemish radio journalist).

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UFS academic discusses Dutch, Afrikaans and African languages at international conference

Prof Theo du Plessis, Director of the Unit for Language Management at the University of the Free State (UFS), was the main speaker at a colloquium titled “Routes: Where to now? - Een traject van het Nederlands naar het Afrikaans en de Afrikatalen”, which was recently presented by the Province Antwerp in Belgium.

The aim of the colloquium was to discuss the future cooperation in the field of language between the Province Antwerp and South Africa.

The Province Antwerp is already involved with projects in South Africa. One of these projects is the Multilingual Information Development Programme (MIDP), a partnership project between the UFS and the Free State Province that is mainly funded by the Province Antwerp.

The project has been running since 1999 and was recently in the news with the presentation of a symposium on multilingualism and exclusion on the Main Campus of the UFS. It is hoped that the Routes colloquium will indicate new stages on which can be added to the already successful cooperation in the area of language.

Prof Du Plessis’s presentation titled “Nederlands, Afrikaans en die Afrikatale – kan samewerking slaag? Die geval MIDP in die Vrystaat”, investigated the successes that have been made with the MIDP. He discussed two possible approaches to cooperation in the areas of language, that of a sentimentalistic approach against an instrumentalistic approach.

Cooperation in the first approach makes language the aim. In the second approach language is used as a means to a greater aim. According to Prof du Plessis the first approach is driven by a romantisised idea about the relation between the Flemish and Afrikaans speaking people, which may unfortunately polarise the position of Afrikaans in South Africa even further.

He argues that, given the time that we are in, the second approach will deliver more constructive results as language can among others be used for to further democracy in South Africa. This can happen by cooperation in the institutionalising of multilingualism in our society. The more languages are used in education, law and government administration, the more we can be assured a successful democracy.

The Routes colloquium was facilitated by the well-known Flemish radio journalist, Jean-Pierre Rondas. About twenty South African and Flemish language specialists took part in the colloquium. Dr Fritz Kok, outgoing chief executive officer of the ATKV took part in the opening ceremony and Dr Neville Alexander from the University of Cape Town and well-known activist for multilingualism in South Africa was also one of the main speakers.

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