"THE CRY OF WINNIE MANDELA"
Music Drama
by Nymph Kellerman
Based on a novel with the same title
by Prof. Njabulo Ndebele
Music by Prof. Meki Nzewi
Director Nymph Kellerman
Music director Odyke Nzewi
Choreographer Kenneth Mmekwa
“Ndebele portrays four women whose lives have been spent waiting for their men to return, like Odysseus’ ‘Penelope”. They question themselves and each other about why they waited and what this waiting did to them. This leads them to imaginary conversations with Winnie Mandela, the most famous South African woman who waited.
In this groundbreaking work, Ndebele uses fiction to present a powerfully moving exploration of the experiences of black South African women. He blurs the borders between fiction and fact, between the novel, the biography and the essay. In the process he shows us aspects of South Africa and of ourselves that we have never looked at before. It is a remarkable achievement by one of South Africa’s most talented writers.”
From: The Cry of Winnie Mandela
Njabulo S. Ndebele
SETTING OF MUSIC DRAMA:
A waiting room anywhere in South Africa
CHARACTERS:
Manette - stays in `n rural area, and she has to see her husband off to the mines in the city, for the first months he diligently sends money back to his home and visits frequently, but then he never returns and the money dries up. She goes in search of her husband to no avail.
Delisiwe – husband travels abroad to qualify as a medical doctor, after waiting on him for eight years and sending him money for him to fulfill his dreams, she falls pregnant with someone else's child. Because of this child, her husband divorces her on his return, and she has consequently futilely waited on him.
Mamello – the wife a political activist who suddenly flees into exile, where after he is arrested and she needs to wait another fifteen years for him. When he is released from prison, he marries a white activist leaving his first wife shattered and seeking the help of a Sangoma.
Joyce – her husband does not leave her, but because he does not love her or respect her, she constantly feels like she is waiting for him to come home.
Winnie Mandela – her story told, not as the political figure, but as a wife, as the wife of a prominent leader, the wife of an imprisoned husband, a true woman in waiting.
Penelope – the wife of the Greek hero Odysseus, the first woman who waited for her husband. Through her story it becomes clear that women in waiting have distinct things in common. She unrolls the central theme of the play: that regardless of time, race and age, women have certain things in common and can unite to improve their lives.
Katlego – Ground hostess for a City busliner
CAST:
Winnie Mandela - Lerato Zulu
Manette - Kedibone Legodi
Delisiwe - Kedibone Manyaka
Mamello - Emma Mmekwa
Joyce - Dimakatso Sibanyoni
Katlego - Tsidi Makgatholela
Penelope - Zelda Roelofs