Natal Office of the Premier and Committed Artists Theatricals (Pty) Ltd, in
co-producing an international musical that celebrates the centenary
commemoration of Bhambatha ka Mancinza and the 1906 uprising
6 November 2006
Introduction
In the State of the Nation Address early this year, the State
President,
Honourable Mr Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki announced that among others, South Africa
shall this year celebrate the Centenary Commemoration of the 1906 Poll Tax
Uprising. This uprising against the Poll Tax imposed by the colonial government
was led by Inkosi Bhambatha ka Mancinza of the Zondi clan.
The uprising known as the Bhambatha Rebellion, or better known to the Zulu
nation as Impi Yamakhanda, was initiated by the newly converted Zulu
Christians, Amakholwa, and thereafter Amakhosi, who took over the leadership of
the campaign. 12 Zulu Christians were massacred by a firing squad of the
colonial forces after being found guilty by a martial court. Being led by
Amakhosi, the great Zulu Warriors set up a secret camp at Inkandla Forest upon
the grave of the great King Cetshwayo.
This site was used as a stronghold for the freedom fighters. This is where
guerrilla warfare was invented by Bhambatha Zondi, Sigananda Shezi and
Chakijana Sithole. The freedom fighters later moved to the difficult terrain of
Momegorge. This is where the final battle was fought and lost. What followed
was a great, brave and historic campaign that would provide a case study later
when the liberation movement opted for the armed struggle.
Some Amakhosi that participated in this uprising were already heroes of the
unforgettable battle of Isandlwana, where the British suffered their worst
defeat in their entire colonial history. After this uprising, the liberation
struggle took on a new form as South Africans launched the first ever political
organisation on the African continent, the African Native Congress, later to
become the African National Congress (ANC). This was led by Dr John
Langalibalele Dube and Pixley ka Seme, who consulted with the reigning Zulu
King Dinuzulu.
The Partnership
After the call by the State President, the Office of the Premier of
KwaZulu-
Natal, Honourable Dr Sbu Ndebele, appointed Committed Artists Theatricals
(Pty) Ltd to research and present an artistic treatment of the events and
personalities of this great uprising.
This new partnership has brought about a musical play as:
* a platform that seeks to bring back African professional theatre to the
people of KwaZulu-Natal, while reconstructing our history and reviving our
heroes
* it aims to integrate the youth into the mainstream performing arts industry,
thus providing both exposure and much needed jobs to a cast and crew of more
than 50 people
* it will also help revive the theatrical industry as a pastime for communities
in areas traditionally ignored by this form of entertainment
* proceeds from the staging of this play will go to heritage and cultural
initiatives within KwaZulu-Natal.
Ingabadi Communications was engaged by Committed Artists to investigate the
uprising. Led by a renowned historian, Professor Maphalala, a team of
historians and researchers gathered a comprehensive dossier on the uprising and
its aftermath. This team then provided a new perspective on the uprising.
Committed Artists then roped in a top-class creative team led by the world
celebrated artistic creator, Mbongeni Ngema and including South Africa's master
of music arrangements, Eddie Mathibe, South Africa's top choreographers, Somizi
Mhlongo and Penny Thloloe as well as the technical powerhouse, Pro-sound.
The creative team has worked tirelessly to create a fully fledged musical
play that seeks to realise the partnership's objectives. The Musical is
presented against a backdrop of the rising tension between inkosi Bhambatha ka
Mancinza Zondi and the colonial authorities as well as a fictitious love story
of 1906; the musical takes the audience through an exciting journey to the past
to witness the mounting tension that eventually broke out in a full scale
violent confrontation between the Zulus and the occupying British colonial
forces.
Penned and created by South Africa's own world celebrated artistic
creator,
Mbongeni Ngema, this world-class musical is presented on a well designed stage
set by an energetic cast of young artists who are beautifully costumed and
musically accompanied by an 11-piece band. The kaleidoscopic lighting designs,
the breathtaking choreography and exhilarating music that has become synonymous
with Ngema, complements the poetic narration of a powerful storyline; presented
by his world travelled and award winning actors. The musical is an educational
and entertaining work of art.
Roll out plan
The musical is currently in pre-production in Durban. The first phase of
presentation shall be an edutainment tour targeting mainly schools and
theatre-going audiences, as well as people who have never been to the theatre
and exposing world class theatre to areas such as Mpangeni and Msunduzi in
Pietermaritzburg. This tour shall run for a period of ten weeks.
National launch
The launch shall be a national event attended by key government officials,
historians, theatre practitioners and the national media, where a fully fledged
professional version of the production shall be unveiled. The musical will then
embark on a national tour (Durban, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and
North West).
A television documentary
Committed Artists plan to produce a docu-drama of the musical that traces
the historical aspects of the musical while creatively blending the
storytelling and visuals of the sites with the live presentation of the stage
play. Our partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
will provide a platform for the musical to reach even more people, bringing the
educational and entertaining celebration of our heritage into people's homes. A
Digital Versatile/Video Disc (DVD) of this docu-drama will then be cut and sold
to the public as well as to libraries and other centres of heritage storage.
Proceeds will go to heritage and cultural initiatives in the province.
A radio documentary
A radio musical documentary shall be developed using narration and the music
of the play to further make the content accessible to ordinary people on the
ground. This shall be available in a number of South African languages.
Marketing
It is our operational philosophy to categorically engage partners,
companies, organisations and formations that will add value to the project.
This predisposition is informed by the fact that the entire marketing strategy
is premised around public or private partnerships, sub�contracting and out�
sourcing of resources especially in the areas of advertising, publicity,
branding and promotions and printing.
We shall consistently make extensive use of all types of media towards the
furtherance of the aims and objectives of the project. The marketing campaign
will be a collective effort from the onset. The campaign will include all
venues where the production will tour.
Conclusion
The time has come for us take pride in our existing works, to profile them
and celebrate our heritage and the people who made exceptional contributions to
the national revolution in South Africa. Together we can rekindle theatre in
South Africa whilst at the same time restoring our history as best told through
the 1906 Musical, so that as we enjoy freedom and democracy, we should not
forget where we come from.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
6 November 2006
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
