President Jacob Zuma will this evening, 10 November 2017, attend "The House of Truth", a stage production featuring acclaimed actor Sello Maake kaNcube, based on the life and times of the late famed South African author, Mr Can Themba.
The theatre production brings to life the history, legacy and times of late journalist and former Drum editor Can Themba, who, along with Bloke Modisane, Nat Nakasa, Lewis Nkosi and others chronicled the urban life of black people in the sprawling neighbourhood of the "multi-racial" cultural hotpot of Sophiatown in the 1950s and 1960s at the onset of the Defiance Campaign and further on the impact of racial segregation laws, the subsequent removals and relocations that effectively pushed the black population out of town and into townships around Johannesburg.
Widely regarded as a "shebeen intellectual" of his time, one of Can Themba's works, "The Suit", won several prizes, including the 1953 Drum Award. His stories were celebrated for the way they depicted "the harsh and depressing conditions of African life in the Johannesburg townships."
"House of Truth", the name of the production, is based on Themba's Sophiatown dwelling, which was known by that name and was famed in Sophiatown for receiving many visitors looking for "intelligent conversation" with Mr Themba and other Kofifi luminaries.
Can Themba was awarded the National Order of Ikhamanga for his "Excellent achievement in literature, contributing to the field of journalism and striving for a just and democratic society in South Africa".
The President has said Government will continue to support the local arts, culture and heritage industries as "they are a very important partner in our drive to build a social and cultural identity for our nation."
The details of the event are as follows:
Date: Friday, 10 November 2017
Time: 20h00
Venue: Theatre on the Square, Sandton
Enquiries:
Dr Bongani Ngqulunga
Cell: 082 308 9373
E-mail: bongani@presidency.gov.za
President Jacob Zuma attends stage production on the life of author Can Themba, 10 Nov
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