“Dear Tata… What Makes a Man a Man?” is a powerful one-man show that blends storytelling, music, and raw vulnerability to explore the journey of manhood, identity, and healing.
Through intimate letters to his father, a son unpacks the pressures of masculinity, the weight of expectations, and the silent battles young men carry through life without acknowledgement. "Dear Tata..." moves between humour and heartbreak, potrayed by a dynamic performer who brings every word, note, and dance move to life.
Honest, personal, and deeply relatable, the show invites you to reflect on your own relationships, your wounds, and what it truly means to become a man today. Whether you’re a young son finding your way or a father revisiting conversations you wish you'd had, this story meets you where you are — and stays with you long after the lights go down.
What Makes a Man a Man?
Production Credits
Director - Mava Gqeba
Writer - Mava Gqeba
Performer - Mava Gqeba
About the Artists
Mava Gqeba is an award-winning singer, actor, musical director, and creative arts practitioner shaping contemporary South African performance. As the founder of Living Glory Entertainment, he has produced bold, genre-blending works such as Faith in Love and If Jazz Be the Food of Love, earning multiple Standard Bank Ovation Awards and recognition at the National Arts Festival. A graduate of the University of Fort Hare with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Vocal Performance, Mava combines strong academic grounding with artistic innovation. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Music, critically examining how the South African music industry both marginalises and benefits from Black queer artistry, with a focus on Lundi Tyamara, Brenda Fassie, and Nakhane Touré.
Beyond performance, Mava’s work is rooted in development and impact. He leads the Artistic Youth Program, an arts initiative dedicated to nurturing emerging talent and expanding access to creative education, while also working as a musical director across productions. He is currently touring his original production, Dear Tata… What Makes a Man a Man, a powerful exploration of identity, masculinity, and healing. Through his interdisciplinary practice, Mava creates work that is emotionally resonant, socially relevant, and strategically positioned to influence both local and global arts landscapes.
- Venue: Beethoven Room
- Location: Rhodes Music Department
- Ticket price: ZAR 100.00
- Programme type: The Fringe
- Genre: Cabaret & Musical Theatre
- Duration: 60 minutes
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Ages:
ALL AGES
