LEST WE FORGET ITSOSENG

 

The Play:Itsoseng

The Playwright:Omphile Molusi.

The Direction By Given Hosi Maluleke

And

Assistance

By

Sbusiso Mchunu & Helman"Shashu"Mapha

And

Performance

By

Mxolisi Masilela.

Slogans are boldly written on the walls[Set].

I have seen this words before,I have heard this words being said before,I have heard songs sang using this words and the relevance is famIliar.Our visualising of this words and subliminal messaging is deeply rooted in our historical/political inheritance.

A filthy stage with everything you could find possibly in a rubbish-bin.It's literally like a deserted area,a forgotten world.

In this case,its a township called "Itsoseng".

In the context of the play,the symbolising is not narrowed into what we see outlined in the staging.

Dirty papers could be representing votes[The Before and After Electoral process]in a country,torn pieces of paper could be representing the scriptures in the bible,the empty bottle of beer could be the petrol bombs which were used to fight governments,the empty bottle of water could be the voicelessness of the residents or it could also be humanity without a soul,the dying flowers could be the infertile state of mind of the place.The scattered boxes could represent their graves.Old newspapers could be memory representing the land when it was still green and the place was called "Mooi Doorpie".

Everything on stage is widely free to interpretation,in or out of context which is guided by the textual articulation.

A tragedy of dysfunctional governance neglecting the voice of the people.

Without a voice,and a persistent dis(Be)longing of their livelihoods,the community of Itsoseng after the fall of their Shopping Complex.They could no longer persevere their own downfall.They could no longer wait for a Messiah,subconsciously they waited for their burial because in this township,the only hope is DEATH.

In all the political/social darkness of this piece,i couldn't help but escape with the love story narrative,as beautiful as it was performed,and nurtured with homour,gentle in the movement on stage and the cherry on top was bringing out the beauty of the language spoken by the people of Batswana.

The journey of the love story is painted with simplicity,and a few life choice decision which separates them but love conquered.

For a moment,there was abit of Hope in Itsoseng until she fell sick,nevertheless,It is a story about a man who loved a women unconditional,for what she is,who she became,and who she will be.

At some point,because of the realities of the play,you attach yourself with this two characters [Ma-Willa And Dolly]

There are multiple characters being portrayed,a collage of characters we can relate and easily connect with especially as black people.As much as the story is based in Itsoseng,the realities of the play are everywhere in the country.It's nothing new,no change has come,different ministers,same story.This is happening everywhere a black person stays,a reproduction system of black lives/face.

All this characters,a drunkard,prostitute,nyaopes,street-vendor and others.

Every township has One.Those who are waiting for change and those who have given up on change and those who left for greener pastures.

It is evidence that clearly points at how political freedom was not what black people need to reconcile over years of being oppressed,it is about economical freedom.It's the lack of economical-power that continues to contribute towards dehumanization of black people in our townships.

Itsoseng means "awakening/Vuka"

Rise like a phoenix is one of the metaphor in the text.The piece evokes a sense of belonging.

Itsoseng is a spiritual cry.

Itsoseng is a void.

Itsoseng is an empty soul.

Itsoseng is seeking divine consciousness.

Itsoseng is a reflection of a black face.

Itsoseng is the will to seek black restoration

Itsoseng is about awakening self and ourselves"-Linda Wa Ka Shabangu