DINTSHITILE MASHILE | The Bells of Amersfoort

The Bells of Amersfoort, written by Zakes Mda, was performed at Theatre Arts in November 2022.

Written in 2002, this slippery and slightly prescient one act magical realism play looks at the life of a black, South African female exile, Tami Walaza through a passage of time and asks hard questions about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and The Rainbow Nation. An Afrikaner man who was the oppressor and the torturer in the Old South Africa becomes a key element in the development of the country with certain implications for nation-building. While in exile (in Amersfoort, Netherlands) Tami's attention and eventual affections are set on this very man while she realises that the comrade she was going to marry in the old SA is now a profoundly corrupt powermonger in the new republic.

Written by Zakes Mda
Presented in association with DALRO (Pty) Ltd
Directed and Designed by Dintshitle Mashile
Lighting Design by Motlotlo Makhobotloane
Stage Managed by Frans Zunguze
Performed by Abongile Ntshuca, Aidan scott, Buntu Ceza, Thulani Nzonzo and Ydalie Turk
Photos by Ayabonga Pilingane

Directors Note
A massive thank you ... for this most beautiful, growing pain of an opportunity. The actors, all of them, who challenged me on an hourly basis and played so beautifully and vulnerably. Professor Zakes Mda for giving me life, killing me and birthing me once more with the stroke of his pen. And finally to Ros and Avy Hirschowitz and of course Gordon in Spirit, for granting me this honour.

WHERE IS DINTSHITILE NOW?

Photos by Ayabonga Pilingane