The Inaugural HerStory International Theatre Festival at the Soweto Theatre, a breath of fresh air

In days post-covid 19 pandemic where lockdown regulations are been scraped out, it is befitting to take some time off and mingle with theatre fanatics and bask at the talent of women displayed lavishly on stage. On Tuesday the 2nd of August 2022 I took the pleasure of attending the opening reception of  HerStory International Theatre Festival at the Soweto Theatre in Soweto. To say I was impressed, would be an understatement. The truth is I was blessed to sprawl at the talent, prowess and magic of indomitable black women from various countries at the festival. 

This festival is a brainchild of Napo Popo Masheane, the Award-winning creative director, poet, playwright and activist. The opening night further made me appreciate the contributions made by women in our society on daily basis. Having being raised by my grandmother Motlamogadi Makgato and my sister Dikeledi Mothiba, alongside countless aunts, mothers and grandmothers from the village of Makotopong, this festival in my view paid homage to such unsung patriotic women leaders. The line up for the opening night, facilitated by Makgano Mamabolo, was a festive of theatre play Elelwang by Moliehi Didie Makobane, a dance piece Inwele by Lulu Mlangeni and Khaya Ndlovu poetry by Yamoria, live music performance by AbafaziBengOriginal band, documentary screening,  powerful speech delivered by Gail Smith and music by Caroline Borole. 

Speaking about the significance of this festival to The Star's journalist Anita Nkonki, Masheane said: “HerStory International Theatre Festival is my brainchild. It is like the idea of a performing art platform that I created last year. The concept around it is really to have a space for women creatives, artists, theatre makers from different parts of the world to be able to be in one space for seven days.”

Throughout the rendered pieces on stage, there is an occasional burst of spontaneous laughter and applause from the audience. Also there are sprightful women drummers beating the drums of Africa, as if in trance, with vocals and whistles that makes one feel truly African - no doubt it resonates with Women's celebration at the occasion of Women's Month on the South African calendar. The items rendered at the opening were but just a few of those cooked for the entire International Theatre Festival run. Women's Day, 9th of August, marks the anniversary of the great women's march of 1956, where women marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the carrying of pass books. 

This festival actively pursue ways and places in which quality surfaces and stuns us into silence or into language worthy enough to describe our realities no matter how hard or tough they may be. From the lineup, it is possible to try to recognize, identify, applaud the fight for and triumph of quality when it is revealed to us and to let go of the notion that only the dominant culture or gender can make those judgements, identify that quality or produce it. Though the festival ushers the nation into the 1956 Women's March to the Union Building, I feel like we need to have more festivals of this kind where they are centred around women beyond the Women's Month. 

HerStory International Theatre Festival is on from August 1-7 at Soweto Theatre. See the upcoming lineup on their website.