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Reviving indigenous wisdom through theatre: Macgam and Ijoloba

05 April 2024 | Story ANTHONY MTHEMBU | Photo SUPPLIED

Vibrant performance at the Mthonyama Arts Festival.

In a concerted effort to revive and celebrate indigenous knowledge and traditions, both Zabesutu Mpiti a Lecturer and Sikhuthali Bonga an Academic Facilitator, in the Drama and Theatre Arts Department at the University of the Free State (UFS), presented two groundbreaking theatre productions: Macgam and Ijoloba. These productions, which premiered at PACOFS on 15-17 February 2024 and the Mthonyama Arts Festival on 15-17 March 2024 in the Eastern Cape, mark a significant milestone in the institution’s embrace of cultural heritage.

Established in 2022 by Mpiti and Bonga, the Mthonyama Arts Festival is an annual celebration aimed at showcasing and revitalizing indigenous creative practices, including plays originating from the rural areas of the Eastern Cape. Attendees at the festival were treated not only to theatrical performances but also to cultural experiences such as stick-fighting tournaments.

Both Macgam and Ijoloba received enthusiastic responses from the audience at the festival, signifying a hunger for narratives that resonate with African heritage and spirituality.

Exploring the productions

Ijoloba, conceived by Mpiti, is a three-part production inspired by Credo Mutwa’s seminal work, “Indaba, My Children.” The narrative revolves around Ijoloba, a deity sent to restore harmony among humans. Gifted with elements crucial to survival and prosperity, such as water and fertility, humanity’s misuse of these gifts, leads to conflict and the departure of Ijoloba along with her gifts. The subsequent narrative explores humanity’s quest to regain her favour.

Bonga’s Macgam delves into the migration of the Nguni people from central Africa to South Africa, drawing inspiration from Mutwa’s works as well. It also examines the tradition of female initiation schools, through the lens of divine intervention. Conflict arises as characters question traditional practices, reflecting tensions between old and new ways of life. Both productions intertwine themes of ritualism and the role of deities in African culture.

Significance of the productions

Bonga and Mpiti view these productions as pioneering efforts within the institution, breaking away from conventional Western narratives. They incorporated indigenous techniques, such as Dr Obakeng Kgwasi’s Bosophytrics, into their creative processes, emphasising the importance of diverse storytelling methods.

By bringing indigenous stories to the forefront, Bonga and Mpiti aim to foster a culture where such narratives are embraced and celebrated. The benefit in this regard is that students who are starting within the department can see that it is possible to create such work. “Bringing these stories to the forefront is a form of representation and a departure from Eurocentric ideologies allowing space for African spiritual practices to be integrated into the study and practice of drama and theatre.’’

Continuing the journey

Following its successful debut, Macgam has been showcased on various stages, including PACOFS, where it garnered positive feedback. Both productions are set to embark on a tour, with their next stop being Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, as part of the ongoing Mthonyama Arts Festival.

News Archive

UFS’s Unit for Children’s Rights instrumental in helping human trafficked victim

2010-03-29

Adv. Beatri Kruger.
Photo: Leonie Bolleurs

“Wheeling and dealing is part of our daily life. But what if the ‘product’ bought or sold is not a spanner or a cell phone, but a living human being? Disturbing news came to the fore... apart from other places in the country, and for that matter all over the world, it was discovered that people are treated like commodities here in Bloemfontein as well,” said Adv. Beatri Kruger from the Unit for Children’s Rights at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Adv. Kruger was instrumental in completing and availing the first comprehensive Research Report on Human Trafficking in South Africa to the public on 23 March 2010. As a member of the Reference Group advising on interim research reports on human trafficking, she contributed to the report. The report proves to be an extremely valuable tool for, among others, government departments and non-governmental organisations that use it as a guideline in planning interventions to combat human trafficking.

The Unit for Children’s Rights is also one of the founding members of the Free State Human Trafficking Forum (FHF). To react on and fight the disturbing reality of human trafficking more efficiently, a number of concerned role players such as Child Welfare and other non-governmental organisations, police officials, prosecutors, social workers, health practitioners, private businesses, churches and community organisations joined forces and formed the FHF. The Unit for Children’s Rights hosts monthly meetings at the UFS to facilitate the coordination of this multi-disciplinary counter-trafficking team.

Adv. Kruger is very excited about some of the successes of the FHF; such as the story of Soma (not her real name). This Indian woman was recruited in India by an Indian couple who are staying in South Africa, by promising her a good job in South Africa. However, instead of finding the promised job, Soma was extensively exploited for labour purposes. With the help of a “good Samaritan” she managed to escape from the perpetrators and fled to the police. Soma was removed to ensure her safety and accommodated in a safe place in Bloemfontein. Counselling and other services were rendered to her by an organisation which is also a member of the FHF. One of the challenges facing Soma and the service providers was that Soma speaks a foreign dialect and for weeks a trusted interpreter could not be found.

This obstacle rendered communication with her to the bare minimum. The perpetrators were arrested but unfortunately the new comprehensive counter-trafficking law is not in force yet. Therefore the perpetrators could only be convicted of some offences in the Immigration Act. However, due to good police investigation followed by shrewd consultations, the perpetrators agreed to pay for the victim’s return flight to India as well as for the flight ticket of the investigating officer to escort her to safety. The Unit for Children’s Rights did networking with Ms Maria Nikolovska of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), who agreed to assist in the safe reintegration of Soma in India. Soma is now on her way back home.

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