Umbhobho – The Red Pipe is an immersive theatrical production, which explores the story of fifteen-year-old Tshepiso.
Tshepiso is sexually pursued by a teacher at her school. Confused as to whether this is appropriate or not, she seeks advice from her 23-year-old cousin sister, Liyema. ULiyema reveals that she too was once approached by a teacher, but did not have the courage to do anything about it.
A simple game of “Truth or Dare” takes Liyema back in time, learning about her 15-year-old cousin “dating” a teacher that is old enough to be her father, kazi iyozala nkomo ni na? She is stuck between approaching this issue or throwing it to the side...Will she throw it, or will she approach it? Throw or approach?
Production Credits
Mbali Mkhabela
Asamela Chauke
Siphosethu Jente
About the Artists
Siphosethu Mankai is a Rhodes University Master's candidate in African Languages Studies. She immersed herself in her undergraduate studies in the various dramatic disciplines: She excelled as a physical performer, Theatre for Young audience performer, applied theatre facilitator, an actor, scriptwriter and theatre director.
Mankai's notable works include: Don't Play With Play Wena (2022), which she co-devised and directed with her performance partner. Mankai wrote, directed and devised Umbhobho - The Red Pipe(2024) in collaboration with cast.
She was a cast member of the 2024 Orientation show RU Make Sure, which was directed by Makhaola Ndebele and devised in collaboration with cast. She is a member of Meqoqo Playback Theatre Collective.
Mankai is a pageant model who has collected more than one title to her name. She is the current Miss Tertiary Eastern Cape 2024/25. She is a student tutor for African Languages, translator and librarian.
She is one of the co-writers of a paper, "Kganya: Photography as Language for Story Generation in Applied Theatre" which has been accepted and is to be published in 2025.
- Venue: Rehearsal Room
- Location: Monument Building
- Ticket price: ZAR 100.00
- Programme type: The Fringe
- Genre: Children's Theatre / Family Fare
- Duration: 60 minutes
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Ages:
14+
- V - VIOLENCE, S - SEX
- NOT APPLICABLE - Suitable for all ages
