AZANIA
Theatre / Gymnasium

Azania unfolds as a poignant odyssey through the hopes and heartbreaks of Bantu Africa. Set against the backdrop of the late 1980s, the production weaves together storytelling, music, and fine-art to immerse audiences in a journey of resilience and redemption. 

Bantu, a man untouched by political affiliations, grapples with the aftermath of his family's tragic loss, incited by suspicions of his father's involvement with the apartheid government. As South Africa transitions into democracy in 1993, Bantu confronts another harrowing ordeal: the disappearance of his 14-year-old daughter. Through gripping narrative and emotive performances, Azania captures the essence of a nation in flux, offering a compelling exploration of love, loss, and the pursuit of justice in the face of adversity.

Azania is a winner of INSIKA Men's Festival with best actor award and three nominations for best script, best actor and best production at Zabalaza theatre festival 2020.

Production Credits

Writen and Directed by: Xola Mziwakhe

Music Composition by: Tsepo Ngidi, HloniphaniArt Mthethwa and Xola Mziwakhe

Artwork by: Khulekani Mkhize's Isizotha Art and Design

Stage Manager and Lighting desiner: Nompilo Ntsangase

Actor: Sibusiso Sithole

Musicain: HloniphaniArt Mthethwa

About the Artists

Xola Mziwakhe is an Eastern Cape born Writer, Director, Actor, and Drama Facilitator and understands himself to be a creator, developer, and storyteller. His work has been staged in various prominent theatres across the country including Durban Playhouse, Cape Town Baxter Theatre, The Market Theatre, Stable Theatre, East London Guild Theatre and many more. His career started in his early childhood with writing, performing, and directing school plays for school competitions. This award winning director is a founder of DA Creative Space that runs the Umsimelelo Schools Art Festival. As a performer he has worked with Wela Kapela Productions under the direction of Amanda Bothma. He has worked on theatre for kids under the umbrella of AssitejSA.

Xola enrolled for professional training at KCAP (Actors Incubation Mentorship Program) where he was recognised with a best director award in the class of 2017. Later he was selected to be a facilitator and coordinator of KCAP’ Actors Incubation Mentorship Program from 2019 to 2021. A former Head of Drama at Sonwa Sakuba Institute for Performing Art, in East London. He has conducted directing and writing workshops both in Film and Theatre. In 2021 he received a script writing award at KZN 48 Hour film project. In 2018 he received an acknowledgment certificate from AFDA Durban, for directing an honours student production. In 2023 he was invited as a guest director at UKZN to devise a student production for the Drama department “Made In My Image”.   

SIBUSISO SITHOLE (Actor): Sibusiso is a KZN professional actor and singer. He is currently on the etv drama (Isiphetho) as Nkosana Ndlovu. He has performed in a number of theatre productions across the county, including PACOFS, SOWETO Theatre, Durban Playhouse, Cape Town Baxter Theatre, Stable Theatre and more. His work on TV includes characters from IMbewu The seed, Uzalo, Isiphetho and other local movies. His singing career started on Mr Lindelani Mkhize’s Ignite show SABC1 as a lead vocalist, and performances on crown gospel awards, Satma award. Sibusiso Sithole is also a director, writer and a producer.

HloniphaniArt Mthethwa (Musician): HloniphaniArt is a singer, song writer, fine artist, video editor and a winner of the 2022 Ethekwini Youth talent show, and a Finalist on Bhodloza Nzimande Foundation talent search. With his music he has  travelled the world to New Orleans, India and Italy. He has worked with the likes of Mbuso Khoza, Zawadi YaMungu and Afrosoul. He is a founder of an annual event “LE Eyabantu” music show.

 

 

  • Venue: Gymnasium
  • Location: Victoria Girl's High School
  • Ticket price: ZAR 60.00
  • Programme type: The Fringe
  • Genre: Theatre
  • Duration: 60 min
  • Ages: 14+
    • Suitable for All Ages

There are no performances for this show.