Pumla's Song and The Dung Beetle : a double bill

Pumla’s Song was sparked by a burning question: where are the women’s stories of those who fought in apartheid? And not the political activists that were well known, but the everyday activists, who had to sacrifice their education, their family lives, and at times their sanity, in order to fight for freedom. I was intrigued, especially with the women who, whilst being mothers, decided to take up arms for the freedom of the country. Pumla’s Song is set in post-apartheid South Africa, Soweto, during a time where the country is transitioning from apartheid and where the armed struggle has disbanded. Pumla lives in a three-roomed house, and in this house, Pumla grapples with her life post the armed struggle. She is trying to assimilate to civilian life. She struggles with the newfound freedom and newfound ‘boredom’ & unease she finds herself in. She has this nagging desire to fight, but there is now nothing to fight for. This inner nagging pulls her into the second room of the house, which represents the memory of her life in the camps. In this room and memory, she re-tells her experiences in the camp and the difficulties in having to leave her young children back home. She recalls and has flashbacks of the violence, the guilt of inciting violence on others, the passion and drive to fight for her country, and also the sexual violence she experienced from male cadres. The third room represents her life before the chaos of the armed struggle. In this room she interacts with her uncles, who were freedom fighters, and we see

Pumla as a girl child with her family, being loved on. The men in her family were killed all at the same time by a bomb planted by the state, and this makes Pumla want to fight back. Essentially, this room and memory bear the motivations of why she chose to take up arms against the apartheid state. She moves and wrestles in between these three rooms, which deal with different parts of her memory and, in some ways, the collective memory of women in the armed struggle. This story deals with the roles of femininity & that of being a soldier and how those two roles have interacted to create an interesting and unconventional image of mothers who have taken up arms and guns. The ways in which these will be dealt with are with repeated physical motifs and object theatre, through the lens of memory and African feminism.

The play was first performed in the Summer Season Shows at Magnet Theatre, 2024. 

Photo by Mark Wessels

THE DUNG BEETLE

The Dung Beetle is a poignant one-hander show that is a testament to the power of storytelling and the human spirit. It follows Thamsanqa Khumalo, a young artist from Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, as he courageously defies convention. With his parents pushing for a medical career, Thamsanqa dares to pursue his passion for drama, driven by an insatiable desire to become a renowned director. As he navigates the complexities of family expectations, cultural heritage, and personal ambition, Thamsanqa's journey becomes a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and transformation. With humor, vulnerability, and unflinching honesty, Thamsanqa shares his triumphs and setbacks, revealing the struggles of chasing one's dreams amidst societal pressures. This powerful story showcases the transformative power of love, support, and self-discovery, inspiring audiences to reexamine their own paths and pursue their true passions.

Thamsanqa Khumalo - Director

A 30-year-old multidisciplinary artist from Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal. Thamsanqa pursued his passion for the arts at the Creative Arts College and later earned his National Diploma in Drama and Production Studies from the Durban University of Technology. As a talented actor and director, Thamsanqa has performed in numerous theatre productions and successfully helmed seven shows. His expertise extends to stage management, and he has won awards for his work in the industry.

Buyani Dlamini - Performer

A skilled actor and music composer with a Diploma in Drama and Production Studies from Durban University of Technology. Buyani has worked on notable productions, including Umgodi and Romeo and Juliet. His talent for music composition has also been showcased in productions like Abaminza (SS Mendi) and Umgodi.

Mthokozisi Ndlovu - Guitarist

A self-motivated actor with a strong background in theatre and performance. Mthokozisi has performed in various productions, including Abasha Bash and Liyazongoma. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to his craft, Mthokozisi brings his unique perspective to The Dung Beetle.

 Nasiphi Chala - Stagemanager

A talented actress, dancer, writer, and poet with a strong background in theatre. Nasiphi has performed in various productions at the Courtyard Theatre, showcasing her versatility and talent. With a passion for storytelling, Nasiphi brings her unique energy to The Dung Beetle.