Samanthole Arts Foundation

Ugandan-born collage artist, Benon Lutaaya draws inspiration from his own life experiences and explores issues related to homelessness, isolation, fear and identity. He works with paper collage, acrylics and mixed media to construct fragmented, fragile and visually rich collages that speak to his continuing journey of creativity through vulnerability. Following his most recent exhibition at GIBS, which we brought to you a few weeks ago, The Journalist’s Khehla Chepape Makgato speaks to Lutaaya about life as an artist, his obsession with hard work and being an entrepreneur. Ugandan born artist Benon Lutaaya. Photograph courtesy newvision.co.ug What are the origins of your interest in the cultural meanings of collage, and how did you come to evolve the wide-ranging, interdisciplinary approach to collage? First of all, I believe that, our life itself is a collage of a series of experiences. My interdisciplinary approach to collage was born out of my total lack of financial res

The reinterpretation of a groundbreaking eye-witness account of Marikana Massacre from a book to stage is significant. It was inevitable that at the occasion that marks a decade of tragedy that saw countless bodies of men fighting for the living wage of R12 500 then, be staged in some form of another art discipline to remind, resurrect and reposition our focus in a just and fair fight for many black people of South Africa living below the poverty line in the democratic South Africa 28 years on. It is interesting to observe that since the first all-black musical theatre piece King Kong debuted the stage in 1959, years later the musical in South Africa continue to enjoy share of honour and respectability.  Marikana – The Musical theatre production at the South African State Theatre to commemorate the Marikana massacre. Picture: Supplied Introducing the book We Are Going To Kill Each Other Today - The Marikana Story, Riaan de Villiers wrote: 'I was not at Marikana, and did

A stage piece set in a small mining town of muddled Democratic Republic of Congo called RUINED, written by a multi award winner and African American playwright Lynn Nottage opened at the John Kani's Market Theatre on the 12th August 2022. This play which won several awards including the prestigious  Pulitzer Prize  (2009) and  Drama Desk Award (2009) is directed by Clive Mathibe and performed by star-studded Hlengiwe Lushaba Madlala, Fulu Mugovhani, Shoki Mmola, Sami Maseko, Molefe Monaisa, Thapelo Sebogodi, Edward Nkomishe, Anele Situlweni and Vaughan Lucas with debut musical and compositional direction by Banda Banda. This colossal production has Hlomohang Mothetho on lighting design,  Karabo Legoabe on set and props, Motshidisi Monyaneng on constume design and stage managed by Lebeisa Molapo with Irvin Taylor as stage manager intern. Ruined Cast. Pic Supplied  This tear-jerking 2-hour piece is so captivating that you sit on the edge of your theatre seat the entire time, only

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

TRIBUTE: 'I cannot go on stage armed with Stanislavski no, I am armed by aboDlangamandla', said Mncedisi Shabangu It would not be an overstatement to say that Mncedisi Shabangu is one of the most influential theatre makers, television actors and arts educators in the contemporary theatre and entertainment sector of South Africa, as evidenced by the tributaries generated the world over, since his passing on Sunday the 24 th July 2022 aged 49. His work has been lavished with theatre and television awards including Standard Bank Young Artists Award, Fleur Du Cap for best actor and SAFTA. His performances were watched and appreciated not only in the country but the world over. His collaborations with some of leading figures in the arts such as John Kani, Gregory Maqoma, Lara Foot and William Kentridge, to mention a few, attest to my opening assertion of this eulogy. Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu. Picture Credit: Facebook In order to get to the crux of my tribute to Mncedisi 'The

Tribute to Dr Don Mattera  My first encounter with Don “Bra Zinga” Mattera was through his work, a poetry anthology of his, to be specific. It was in 2008 at the Rhodes Park Library In Kensington that I first interacted with his world. Seven years later, he would grace one of my Children’s Book Clubs with his presence at the very same library when we celebrated an anniversary. He graciously performed to the gallery of elated kids. I loved children so much and always advocated for their protection, good health care and education that will propel them for active citizenship. Khehla Chepape Makgato with Don Mattera at The Rhodes Park Children’s Book Club in  2015. Mattera was, in person, a remarkable human being. Few times in which I was privileged to be at events he was in, I always marvelled at his grace and poise. One of his famous quote every time he took a podium at artsy gatherings is that ‘On your marks, get set, look back and see who you could pick before you go’.  Th

  ‘How do you put a nation’s history on stage?’ is a question that comes to mind when engaging historically nuanced theatre productions such as Kunene and The King staged at the Joburg Theatre from 25 th May to 19 th June 2022. This play is written by John Bonisile Kani, arguably the South Africa’s most important theatre legend and also performed by him alongside yet another important thespian ever to come out of South Africa, Michael Richard. This piece is star-spangled in its entire outfit for it is directed by Janice Honeyman, multi-award winning artistic director with lighting by Mannie Manim, the co-founder of the Market Theatre with Barney Simon. On the stage, with the setup taking you into the house in a suburb of Killarney, the overture music by Sibongile Khumalo welcomes you, Theta Wathula Nje playing softly in the background. The song was originally composed by Victor Ntoni. Overture music on stage is there to prepare the audience of what is to happen, it is a reflection o