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Pretoria. — Religion and culture has been touted as the source of gender inequality and oppression for most women in Africa.
A narrative such as divorce is a sin and a prayer is a cure for everything has forced women to stay in abusive marriages for decades.
Theatre play Izibazi Zomendo (which means scars of marriage) seeks to explore how culture of gender-based violence and misogyny devalues women and normalises violence.
The play is part of the annual National Arts Festival that is on virtually for the second year due to Covid-19 regulations.
Through Izibazi Zomendo, the writer and director Mbali Ndlozi seeks to explore the subject of social and cultural patterns in our communities and how they have continued to put women under pressure for decades.
Through her play, Ndlozi exposes how women are defenders and watchdogs of culture and traditions which oppress women.
The story of Izibazi Zomendo is told by Thendo Khabana, Maphori Sebesho, Nwabisa Mbambo, Sinovuyo Nqwili and Ashley Khabana.
Set in Pimville, Soweto, Ndlozi explores the story through Jabulile, a mother to Kwanele and wife to Sipho, who is bound by her faith in the Bible that divorce is a sin despite the volatile situation she lives under. It further explores a dysfunctional relationship between a mother and daughter.
Jabulile, who had dreams to become something in the community, married Sipho immediately after completing her matric.
At first, Sipho was a loving husband and changed to being a monster that turned her into a punching bag.
Kwanele, who is studying at university, tries to fight for her mother who is caught up in the situation. Her biggest wish is to break a cycle of abuse that is destroying her and her mother.
It explores how the choices mothers make to stay with their men and/or marriage causes lasting emotional scars in their children.
Meanwhile, Bring Back Our Girls is another play that theatre lovers can enjoy.
Written by drama teachers, Dorianne Alexander and Shaye Garmany, the play takes us back to 2014 where over 200 girls were abducted from their dormitories in Chibok, Nigeria by terrorist organisation Boko Haram.
The story shocked the world and made headlines. A hashtag ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ was created and it became famous.
Through the play, the two writers have tried to capture all sides and how despite massive world media coverage, the girls were still not back yet. It highlights some of the flaws from the Nigerian government which failed to rescue the girls and bring them home safe.
The story also captures the feelings of parents, especially mothers about their girls being abducted. It follows this particular mother as she tries to put herself in her daughter’s shoes and imagining how her capture was treating her.
At the same time, the story focuses on the minds and feelings of the abducted.
Both plays can be viewed on the National Arts Festival website until July 31. — SOWETAN.
Online Reporter