Theatre production confronts women abuse

LOCAL stage director and Zululand Observer entertainment reporter Wellington Makwakwa is tackling the burning issue of women abuse, through art.

After the huge success of his 2016 theatre production Death of the Emperor Shaka, Wellington is once again gearing up to present The Devil’s Autograph.

The play, which is written, directed and produced by Wellington under the recently formed group, King Cetshwayo Theatrical Society, is a story about three women of different cultures and races who suffered physical and emotional abuse in their respective homes in the early 1900s.

‘They are forced by their circumstances to find work on a sugarcane farm to survive, not knowing it will be the beginning of a different cycle of abuse,’ he explained.

At the farm they are subjected to more violence and are tortured and raped by a cruel farm supervisor, whose only dream is to have a son.

‘The play highlights their strength and how together they rise above the abuse and fight the system.’

‘It will take Zululanders on an emotional journey with both sad and happy moments – and a surprising twist.’

‘Violence and abuse affects women from all backgrounds every day in South Africa.

‘These women are assaulted, raped and even killed – mostly by people closest to them.

‘This production aims to raise awareness against women abuse, and spread a message of awareness to young men,’ said Wellington, who is also working with well-known actor and director Mthandeni Mbambo of Uzalo, Rockville and Sarafina fame.

The show also includes a range of young performers, who will showcase their skills in acting, dancing and musical numbers.

Apart from the theatre showcase, as part of the awareness campaign, Wellington has initiated a

‘Real Men Stand Up’ campaign – a movement which implores young men to take a stand against domestic violence.

‘We are doing all this under the #WomenAbuseStopsWithMe, and we plead with young men to join the movement,’

The production will take to the stage at the Empangeni Civic Centre on Saturday, 13 May.
For information and tickets, contact 078 0240163.

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