Play reflects on historical struggles of women

The Market Theatre’s production, The Cry of Winnie Mandela, based on Njabulo Ndebele’s novel of the same name, makes its Cape Town debut at the Baxter Flipside from Wednesday January 29 to Saturday February 15, at 7.30pm, with Saturday matinees at 3pm.

Adapted for the stage by Alex Burger and directed by MoMo Matsunyane, The Cry of Winnie Mandela stars TV actress, theatre practitioner and presenter, Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo, who takes on the role of anti-Apartheid activist, Winnie Mandela. She is joined by Mdoda-Nxumalo, Rami Chuene, Ayanda Sibisi, Siyasanga Papu, Les Made and Pulane Rampoana.

Former UCT vice-chancellor and Baxter board member, Professor Njabulo Ndebele is delighted his work will be performed at the Baxter theatre. “The novel was partly written and completed at Glenara, just across the road from the Baxter theatre, the venerable venue where it was also launched in 2003. It’s as if a historic circle has been completed”.

In the play, four women meet to reflect, joined together by their anticipation of their husbands’ return. Engaged in sacred moments of sharing and fellowship, they lean on the heroism of Winnie Mandela and the connection they feel towards her. The women interrogate their own and other women’s reasons for waiting and what the wait did to them. This interrogation leads to a series of hearty, haunting and critical conversations, drawing audiences to reflect on the historical struggles of women.

Tickets for The Cry of Winnie Mandela cost from R230 to R250 through Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores. For block bookings or 10 or more contact Carmen Kearns on carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za or 021 680 3993.