


Twenty-five years after the rise of artificial intelligence, the promise of a better life remains unfulfilled in the townships. Unemployment, crime, and social decay continue to haunt the kasi streets. Amid this chaos, a fearless group of kasi dreamers hack and hijack lifelike androids, using them for underground hustles in a desperate attempt to reclaim power in a world that has forgotten them.
But everything changes when Ntswaki 4.0 appears.
Infused with human emotions, ancestral memory, and the moral compass of a forgotten era, Ntswaki is no ordinary machine. Created as an experiment in compassion and consciousness, she becomes the unlikely vessel for a hero’s soul, a mysterious figure whose spiritual journey merges with artificial intelligence in a daring quest to rewrite destiny. As Ntswaki navigates the gritty backstreets and broken dreams of the township, she awakens something powerful: the possibility of healing, rebellion, and renewal. But with tech giants, gang lords, and a desperate community closing in, will she be a savior or a sacrifice? Ntswaki 4.0 is a futuristic odyssey that reimagines African storytelling through the lens of AI, spirit, and survival, where the future of the kasi may lie in the heart of a machine.
Production Credits
Crew:
Given Maluleke - Writer & Director
Sifiso Bheseni Botha - Choreographer & Producer
Linda Refilwe Lehong - Costume Designer
Thabo Given Tefu - Assistant Director
Mokete Moses Khoarane - Stage manager
Cast:
Lebogang Cornie Bless
Julia Nthabiseng Molonyama
Molatelo Lister Lepuru
Tsheamo Mokoana
Tshephang Mogale
Vusimuzi - Khoza
Tshiamo - Maholo
About the Artists
GIVEN MALULEKE - DIRECTOR, PLAYWRIGHT.
With two decades of experience in the theater and arts industry, I have honed my skills across diverse genres and backgrounds. My extensive work spans academia and mainstream theater stages, as well as developmental programs nationwide. Equipped with this versatile and robust experse, I am well-prepared to excel in any arts environment.
Production manager
• Spearheaded production management for the acclaimed 2024 theatre production "Journey to the South," ensuring seamless execution and high-quality delivery.
• Managed production and assisted in directing the 2021 theatre production "Class of 2021," demonstrating strong leadership and collaborative skills.
Drama teacher /Facilitator
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Spearheaded dramaturgy for the 2023 South African State Theatre Developmental Programme.
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Evaluated talent as a judge for the 2022 Ishashalazi Community Arts Fesval under the Gauteng Sports and Arts Culture Developmental Programme.
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Instructed as a part-me teacher at Birth of Arts Academy in 2018.
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Facilitated at the South African State Theatre Development Programme from 2014 to 2015.
Theatre director and Producer.
• Collaborated with the State Theatre from 2015 to 2018 to produce and direct curriculum-based literature works, including "Kudela Owaziyo" (2015 & 2016) and Shakespeare's "Macbeth" (2017 & 2018).
Playwright
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Co-wrote "Stevovo the Puppeteer," the Standard Bank Ovation Award recipient at the 2023 National Arts Festival.
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Authored "Living in Winnie Mandela: The Blacklight," a production that premiered at the 2023 Tembisa Theatre Week.
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Created the children's theatre production "Makhondlo Manharhu," an adaptation of "The Three Little Pigs," in 2021.
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Wrote "Mosadi Lolea," showcased at the 2015 National Arts Festival.
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Created "Wear My Shoes," presented at the 2014 Ishashalaza Festival, inspiring similar products by other Tembisa writers.
Theatre Director , Playwright and Producer
• Co-wrote and co-directed the acclaimed 2023 production "Lolea" at Joburg Theatre.
• Created, produced, and directed "Endzeni Ka Jele Ra Yena," a mental health-focused play for the Arts Alive International Arts Festival at Joburg Theatre in 2022.
• Directed the award-winning production "Itsoseng" Starring Mxolisi Masilela in collaboration with TX Theatre in 2021.
• Craed, produced, and directed the controversial "The Escape Artist and the Conspiracy" for the Tembisa Theatre Week Arts Festival in 2020.
• Authored and directed "The Modern Zombie," a well-received theatre production that premiered at TX Theatre in 2019.
SIFISO BHESENI BOTHA - CHOREOGRAPHER & PRODUCER.
Sifiso is a 36 year old Performer, Director and Choreographer from Tembisa. He began his artistic journey at age 11 with Tembisa Young Generations (TYG) under the leadership of Emmanuel. From then his passion for the arts grew and found himself being one of the top traditional dancers in Tembisa. With years of experience in field he found himself being exposed to multiple dance styles and performing art genres including Traditional Dance, Pantsula Dance, Contemporary Dance, and Kofifi.
This would lead to him being cast in his first major production in 2007 "The Failure” by Mathews Ngulele as a Lead actor, Dancer and Choreographer. In 2008 he was cast as a lead actor in “Ditsorontsitso” by Mathews Ngulele. In 2009 he was cast in “The Truth” and “African Child Play” by Thabo Motshabi and Portia Mashego respectively.
In 2010 he performed as dancer in a production titled “Ke Mofenyi” and “Re Ikhantsha ka Moribo” by Thabiso Mhlamvu and Mandla Mathonsi respectively, also landing a role as a show dancer in a production titled “Sega Mampuru Dance.”
In 2013 he ventured more in theatre and landed a role in award winning play “Thula Thula” written by Lucky “Professor” Kgafela and directed by Mxolisi Masilela as a lead support.
In 2014 he reprised his role in “Ditsorontsitso” and also took on the role of Choreographer and Dancer under the leadership of Molatelo Lepuru.
In 2015 while on a project tour of Limpopo he performed and choreographed “Tshinela
In 2016 performed in Zwakala Festival finalist and Ishashalazi Theatre Festival winning production “Meatology” by Themba Mahlangu as a Lead Actor. While busy with that this is when he ventured on own and founded his own organization Umzekelo Cultural Organisation in which he created multiple award winning productions such as: Komello, Ditaelo and Lehumo Laka.
In 2017 he began his on screen journey where he appeared in Skeem Saam and Generations the Legacy.
In 2019 He landed a role as Choreographer and Dancer in Limpopo Based productions “Tourist to Mzansi” and “Princess Tebogo Musical” by Solly Malaka and Thabang Ramabu respectively.
In 2021 he landed a Supporting lead role in Themba Mahlangu’s “Kaleidoscope” which went on to be a huge success performing in theatres around Gauteng.
In 2022 he Choreographed school production “The Journey” by Nkosana Sarelwa which performed for numerous schools from Gauteng and North West.
With his vast experience Sifiso continues to be an active member of the Performance Art fraternity.
In 2022 He Choreographed “Mallepa The Musical” which premiered at The TX Theatre.
- Venue: Princess Alice
- Location: Princess Alice Hall
- Venue: PJ'S
- Location: Hoerskool P.J. Olivier
- Ticket price: ZAR 50.00
- Programme type: The Fringe
- Genre: Theatre
- Duration: 50 minutes
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Ages:
PG (PARENTAL GUIDANCE)
- M - MATURE CONTENT