Swartwater is a captivating reimagination of the losses experienced by the indigenous Nama Khoi people during colonisation and discovery of diamonds in the 1900s.
This powerful narrative follows a Nama family as they face the painful reality of leaving Swartwater, unearthing fresh wounds amidst their relocation. Through the eyes of Tieles, who is in the process of departing Swartwater, audiences are taken on an emotional journey of profound loss. Tieles reminisces about her daughter, Sosanas, who left Swartwater with Jannie for the Cape Colony, and recalls the forced removals from Dunvlei and Ariesdrift.
Join Tieles, Sosanas, Sarah and Mammies as they guide us through a profound exploration of grief, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a people determined to overcome adversity.
Production Credits
DRAMATURGY: Lee-Ann Van Rooi
PLAYWRIGHT AND DIRECTOR: Geralt Cloete
SET,LIGHTING AND COSTUME: Angelinah Maponya
PRODUCTION MANAGERS:
Anthea Mouers
Luzaan Zandi
STAGE MANAGER: Irvin Cloete
CAST:
Jody-Ann Cloete
Liza-Marie De Waal
Diansca Obies
Annaline Joseph
About the Artists
LEE ANN VAN ROOI (DRAMATURG, PRODUCER, DIRECTOR AND ACTRESS)
Lee Ann Van Rooi is a keen storyteller, puppeteer, teacher, writer, and director. Her interests and skills are wide ranging, innovative and resourceful, and she has been part of the professional entertainment industry for over 18 years. This award winning, versatile actress and producer has credits stretching over the various mediums of film, TV, stage, and radio both locally and internationally. A proud member of SAGA, Lee-Ann is particularly interested in growing and creatively educating audiences and supporting the arts and culture in a responsible and fair way.
GERALT CLOETE (THEATRE-MAKER AND PRODUCER)
Geralt Cloete is a dynamic Director, Performer, Scriptwriter, and Applied Theatre Practitioner, renowned for his transformative work as the founder and director of Nama Khoi Productions. Holding a Master’s in Dramatic Arts and an Honours in Applied Drama from the University of the Witwatersrand, Geralt's creative vision is deeply rooted in the exploration of Home and Belonging. His passion for uplifting youth is evident in his approach as a theatre-maker, where he skilfully empowers young voices, providing them with a platform for expression and dialogue through the powerful medium of drama.
ANGELINAH MAPONYA (STORYTELLER, SCENOGRAPHER AND DRAMATURG)
Angelinah Maponya is a visual storyteller, scenographer and dramaturg from
Johannesburg, South Africa. Angelinah supervises and lectures Theatre Design at Rhodes University, Drama Department. Their practice is developing a dramaturgy of evocation through a scenographic lens while continuing to experiment with what materiality in theatre can generate.
