Women in the arts’s voices booms through the musical The Spirit of 1956: Voice of the Voiceless

The Spirit of 1956 Movement was inspired by the challenges facing women in the arts. We also picked it up that women in the arts were also not involved in the business side of the industry. the show is set to premier at the newly established The Best Art Centre which is based in the Waterberg District, Bela Bela on December 7 2024.

By Funeka Bambalele

A group of South African female performers who call themselves Spirit of 1956 Movement are using music to speak their truth about challenges facing women in the arts.

The movement presents The Spirit of 1956: Voice of the Voiceless, a powerful musical theatre production that inspires and educates at the same time. Supported by the National Arts Council (NAC), the production is inspired by the historical brave act by women of 1956 who showed courage when they marched to Union Buildings in Pretoria against the Anti-Pass Campaign. With some of them carrying babies on their back, the women had to voice their thoughts against the passed laws which seek to suggest that a woman’s place is in the kitchen.

The show features eight women who share their own pain, struggles, triumph and joys of the performing arts industry.

According to co-producer and a member of Spirit of 1956 Movement, Phumzile Manikela, the show is inspired by the courage of the 1956 generation.

“The Spirit of 1956 Movement was inspired by the challenges facing women in the arts. We also picked it up that women in the arts were also not involved in the business side of the industry. That is why we opted to create a platform that will create opportunities for women who are mostly sidelined.”

“Through this platform we are encouraging women to speak out about the abuse and break the silence. We launched it on workers day with the help of MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko. The Spirit of 1956 Movement is made up of organisations like C’stahood, NPZ Promotions, House of ToGaTa, Omama Besxaxa, and others.”

Co-producer and director Nozzy Nguse who was introduced to stage through Sarafina and toured the world with it says the story is unscripted.

“It is told by eight women who speak about their challenges and pain faced in the industry. The show features both established and emerging talented women in arts whose aim is to share their own stories of struggle, triumph and empowerment.”

Staged as part of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the musical is set to premier at the newly established The Best Art Centre which is based in the Waterberg District, Bela Bela on December 7 2024.

The show will start at 2pm and tickets cost R50. The theatre was established by Precious Morobele Manaka, a legendary theatre practitioner and cultural leader. Morobele has made history by becoming the first black South Africa’s woman to open a theatre in a semi-rural area.

Following a brief run in Limpopo, the musical will also be staged at Lesedi Theatre inside Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein on December 14, 2024. The show starts at 3pm and tickets cost R100.

Head of production and member of ToGaTa, Tonique Phala adds: “Shows such as Spirit of 1956 also acts as a therapy for us as women because it is a platform where we share our pain. We have been through a lot. It gets heavy as a woman, and you do not know who to speak to without being judged and also feel that you let yourself down.”

The cast includes TV and stage actress Gcina Mkhize, a renowned Mzansi actress who recently was on the news fighting to be forcefully removed at her own house which was sold by a bank in an auction without her knowledge.  Mkhize has portrayed many Tv roles.  But the one that still lingers in people’s minds is the one she portrayed in Isibaya as KaMajola.

Another performer is Ashante, one of the artists of the 1980s era disco music who also worked with music legend Sello Chicco Twala.

Nguse says they also added Seipati Sothoane, the first woman to play Sarafina in the Mbongeni Ngema hit musical, Sarafina.  The musical will also have

Precious Morobele Manaka – Legendary Theatre Practitioner and Cultural Leader, Lindiwe Mdlalose, an artist and activist, rising star Noko Maboya and Tumi

Moatshe.

The Spirit of 1956 Musical will also feature a choir of powerful voices who will be backing the vocalists. Some of the backing singers have worked with music stars like the late Lucky Dube, Late Brenda Fassie, uMoja and Rebecca Malope. After the show there will be a dialogue with the audience just to engage them about the current state of gender-based violence.