MAHLATSI MOKGONYANA | My Children! My Africa!

My Children! My Africa! was performed in early 2016 and played to sold out audiences. Staged dynamically and with newly graduated perfomers alongside a veteran, Mahlatsi was unable to transport the production to Johannesburg. In 2017 and again produced by ShakeXperience, he presented the production with a new cast at The Soweto Theatre for high school learners.

Presented by the Theatre Arts Admin Collective, in partnership with Distell, the Baxter Theatre Centre, ShakeXperience and Nobulali Productions
Written by Athol Fugard
Directed by Mahlatsi Mokgonyana
Designed by Asiphe Lili
Sound Design by John Withers
Lighting Design by Kieran McGregor
Performed by Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Sihle Mnqwazana and Kate Pinchuck
Photos by Jesse Kramer
Poster by Warren Turner
Athol Fugard’s

Directors Note:

The relevance of this play doesn’t excite me. It frightens me.

It doesn’t happen often in South Africa that as young directors we are allowed an opportunity to select a play that we are passionate about, because it doesn’t happen often. When it happens seek for something that moves you, seek for something that speaks to you, but more importantly seek something that will challenge you. My Children! My Africa! speaks candidly about the issues that young people are faced with in South Africa today. Even though the play was written more than 20 years ago it feels more relevant today.  Every time I listen to the play, I am reminded of the tragedy of human kind, the inability for us to correct the wrongs we do and that frightens me.