The launch of Pitso Ya Kalaneng Festival gies hope to Wits Theatre’s revival

By Edward Tsumele

It was one of those events that you needed to attend. What with the presence of prominent people in academia and the arts.  It was indeed a glamorous affair this past at Wits Theatre.

 Re-launching its annual Orientation Week Festival, this student-centred festival programme, initiated by Wits Theatre staff, seeks to facilitate collaboration and creative exchange within the Wits School of Arts and with other performing arts institutions in the Gauteng province. It was the launch of Pitso Ya Kalaneng Festival . For example, we were made to think and entertained by a brass band and theatrical performances. Witsies connected, ate, drank partied to mark the 40^th anniversary of this university based theatre. We were taken down memory lane by former staffers, students and academics. It was indeed a pleasant experience, and hopefully the launch of this festival will bring back the vibe that defined the feature of Wits Theatre in days gone by.

But otherwise this event made some of us to reflect on our times and experiences as students at Wits in years gone by. It was time to meet people we4 had not seen in years.

Guest speaker Professor Malcolm Purkey, who spent 20 years teaching there in the drama department  bemoaned the fact that due to the prevailing crime situation, Wits Theatre was no longer accessible to the public, a patronage that makes an theatre vibrant and viable This is because access  to this prestigious institution of learning is strictly controlled to prevent the undesirable of Johannesburg gaining entrance for nefarious reasons.

But despite all these security-centred measures of access control,  we all at the end of the event hope that with this launch the  Pitso Ya Kalaneng Festival will transform Wits East Campus into a cultural and creative hub, celebrating student talent and the performing arts.

“The Pitso Ya Kalaneng festival contributes to a holistic student experience. The festival launch also provides an opportunity for friends of the Arts to join us in recognising four decades of the Wits Theatre. The event was conceptualised and organised by Wits Theatre staff, some of whom are Wits alumni, who observed the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on theatres. The Wits Theatre remains an important hub in our arts and culture precinct”, said Prof René Smith of the Wits School of Arts.   

 Event organiser and Wits alumna, Lerato Sekele, explains: “Audiences can look forward to productions that profile student works from the Wits School of Arts, AFDA, Tshwane University of Technology, The Market Theatre Lab and Drama for Life, and reignite connections with alumni and special guests.”

 Highlights of the Pitso Ya Kalaneng Festival include: 12 Theatre Productions,showcasing student talent; student filmscreenings; Digital Gaming Stations fromstudent developers; a fine art exhibition of student works and Foyer Flavour Jam sessions. The Pitso Ya Kalaneng Concertfeatures Mashabela Galane, Jed Eye, Liso The Musician, Pertunia Msani, Leon John and iPhupho L’Ka Biko.

Tickets are R40 and available at the box office at the Wits Theatre

 Tickets for the concert on Saturday 10^th February are R160 and can be purchased at Webtickets or at the door.

 Entrance for visitors, theatre patrons and guests

• For day time shows – all visitors should park at the visitors parking on Yale Road at the Planetarium
• Station Street Entrance & Solomon Mahlangu visitors parking will only be available from 17h00 onwards
• For high schools coming to attend – all schools should report to Wits University an hour before the show, park busses at the visitors parking at the Planetarium and may their way to the Wits Theatre  
• For visitors on foot, please use the Sutton Close Entrance, to scan your ID and make your way to the Wits Theatre
• For Uber drop off – please use Sutton Close Entrance, to scan your ID and make your way to the Wits Theatre
• Visitors are advised to have their ID’s on hand when coming to the Festival to watch shows
• For visitors driving they will have to present their drivers licence at the entrance for scanning
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