Sizwe Banzi is Dead, set in Apartheid South Africa. Passbooks are held by all citizens. Their right to travel and work is restricted and all information is held in these books. However, many couldn’t read or understand what these books said. Furthering the oppression of thousands of people and leaving them in danger.

Sizwe Banzi (Wisdom Iheoma) walks into a photographic studio owned by Styles (Joh Pfumojena) looking for someone who can make a card for him to send to his wife. He’s trying to find work away from home to send money back to his wife and four children. However, during his visit, he discovered that his government-issued passbook had expired and he should have returned home yesterday. He wasn’t aware of this as he cannot read!

After a drunken night out with a new acquaintance, Buntu. The pair discover a dead body. The body carries a valid passbook allowing him to work in Port Elizabeth. Could a simple photograph switch be the answer to his problems?

Sizwe Banzi is now in a position to make a difficult decision. Does he kill off his old identity to become someone else? Where he has a chance to work. Just how far would anyone go to enable them to provide for their families?

This production still holds relevance today with daily reports across Europe and the United Kingdom of thousands of migrants taking perilous journeys in modes of transport not fit for purpose to chase their dreams of a better life and escape atrocities and oppression. The stories change but the fundamental basis remains the same.

For more information on this performance and touring details please check out the links below.

Four Stars.

https://www.mayflowerstudios.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/

http://www.concordtheatricals.co.uk/

Sizwe Banzi is Dead opens at Mayflower Studios before going on tour:

Aberysthwyth Arts Centre – 24-25 October 2023

Exeter’s Barnfield Theatre – 16-17 October 2023

Theatre by the Lake Keswick – 27-28 October 2023

Written by Athol Fugard, John Kani & Winston Ntshona.