AmaXelegu currently taking place throughout August from 07-25 at The Market Theatre, crafted by the vision of Qondiswa James, features a talented cast including Shalima Mkongi in the role of Thabisa, Luxolo Ndabeni portraying Azola, and Nambitha Mpumlwana as Mama Priscilla.
Amaxelegu is an innovative play created by the acclaimed actor, writer, director, theatre-maker, performance artist, and versatile creative force, Qondiswa James. This provocative three-character production has been developed through the Market Theatre’s Play Development Programme, initiated in 2023, which aims to discover and cultivate “fresh, urgent, or compelling” narratives under the mentorship of Artistic Director, Greg Homann.
In Amaxelegu, Qondiswa James presents a thought-provoking and aesthetically engaging narrative that explores the intimate dynamics of a young couple and their relationship with the woman responsible for tidying their space. The title can be interpreted in English as “Messy People.” This play, predominantly in English with elements of Xhosa, delves into themes of love amidst non-monogamous arrangements, offering an insightful examination of the intricacies of contemporary relationships.
The Market Theatre Foundation shares: It is (AmaXelegu) set in the characters’ bedrooms in a non-descript city in South Africa. , They navigate the transactions of class and gender as they move between various private and domestic contexts. Amaxelegu features an impressive cast which includes Shalima Mkongi, a UCT, AFDA, and Waterfront Theatre School graduate in the role of ‘Thabisa’. Mkongi has several notable theatre and film roles, including The Crucible, Cincinatti, Justice Served, and Diamond City, and being a sought-after voice actor. It also features Luxolo Ndabeni in the role of ‘Azola’. Ndabeni is a South African State Theatre product best known for roles in Lockdown (S1), Surviving Gaza, and Gomora (S4). Audiences can look forward to how the two will portray the private and social dynamics of the play’s central relationship as Thabisa and Azola navigate their day-to-day lives within the backdrop of gender and class as young, upwardly middle-class black South Africans.
The esteemed role of ‘Mama Priscilla’ is portrayed by the accomplished and award-winning film and television actress, Nambitha Mpumlwana. She is recognized for her remarkable performances in numerous acclaimed productions, including Generations, Invictus, Yizo-Yizo, and Tsotsi, among others. Recently, Nambitha Mpumlwana graced the stage in the successful production, The Cry of Winnie Mandela, at The Market Theatre, where she embodied the struggle icon, political activist, liberation fighter, and the first First Lady of democratic South Africa, Winnie Mandela.
Qondiswa James has established a remarkable body of work since her emergence in the theatre scene. She has engaged in studies and collaborations with a distinguished range of playwrights, directors, and theatre companies. Her directorial credits include Emhlab’Obomvu, showcased at the National Arts Festival in 2016, and Silindile, featured in the UCT New Voices program in 2017. In recognition of her talent, she received the Theatre Arts Admin Collective’s Emerging Theatre Directors Bursary in 2018 for her compelling reinterpretation of Athol Fugard’s Statements After An Arrest Under The Immorality Act, which garnered nominations for two Fleur du Cap Awards in 2019 for Best New Director and Best Actress.
Recently, Qondiswa James participated in the Centre for the Less Good Idea’s innovative project “On Air: Visual Radio Plays,” which explored the aural and visual dimensions of theatrical storytelling through the play Emalehleni. Her career continues to ascend, as she now brings her bold creativity and immense talent to the Market Theatre stage.
Joining the formidable team of Amaxelegu are set and costume designer Onthatile Matshidiso, sound designer Jannous Nkululeko Aukema, AV designer Jurgen Meekel and Andrea Rolfes, along with lighting designer David Themba Stuart.
This production promises to be fresh and audacious, perfect for warming up the chilly winter evenings. Visit The Market Theatre this August to experience this exciting new play, directed and written by one of South Africa’s emerging theatre talents.
Age Advisory: 16 (SNL)
Language: English (with some Xhosa).