adminThe above quote summarises what those who have fought for womenfolk to be at a level pegging with their male counterparts will feel.
Many have turned a blind eye to the plight of abused women, hoping that by ignoring the problem it will disappear. This is an age old struggle that on the African continent it is now a tug of war between old traditions versus the new ambitions and aspirations of the modern woman.
One female playwright, Thembelihle Moyo, has decided not to keep her silence, through her play, I want to fly. The play attempts to tackle the stubborn traditions that stand in the way of total female emancipation.
The play, set to premiere tomorrow at Amakhosi Theatre’s Plays On Sunday, is about three women who want to be liberated in different ways. First is Yinka, a young lady who hails from a strong cultural rural background, where the belief that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. Her desire is to redefine her culture, by fighting against all odds and become a pilot, thereby giving an example for others to follow. Her efforts come in the face of her father’s attempts to arrange a marriage for her after she has finished school.
The second woman, Mankwinji, struggles to feed a family of seven, including her husband Nqwayi. Nqwayi is a drunkard and sells every item in their homestead, including their own children. The trio is completed by aunt Sihle, whose husband, Shumba, is rich and accuses her of being barren, yet Sihle has her own secret child. The play weaves the three women’s stories into one solid narrative, which all sheds light on the trials and tribulations of being a woman.
The three have a false sense of security that they get from traditional herbs sold to them in the promise that they can trap their men. The desperation of the situation is captured in such a scenario, as the women hope to ensure lifelong relationships with their unyielding male counterparts. This is not through mutual love, but the unscrupulous route, provided by herbs and love potions.
Moyo is not new to the theatre scene. She has participated in a number of productions before. A graduate of the Amakhosi Academy, she is one of the writers behind the highly anticipated Nyami Nyami series, while she also directed the play It Never Rains, which premiered last year at the Harare Festival of the Arts.
The lead role in the play is left to Qeqeshiwe Mthambo. Mthambo is not new to playing roles that are geared towards the emancipation of women, as she was the lead role in last year’s remake of Stitsha, a task she executed with aplomb.
If her touching performance in Stitsha is anything to go by, theatre lovers are in for a treat. Moyo carried the weight of representing the struggles of women remarkably well, and her performances depicted a woman who knew the enormity of her task.
Moyo believes that theatre should be a vehicle for the emancipation of women, although she however acknowledges that for the vehicle to reach its destination, women have to come on board and support the efforts of their counterparts.
“I would like to see more women come and support the play because this is a women’s story, by women and for women. They should embrace the show and come in their numbers to see their daily struggles acknowledged, while their triumphs are celebrated,” she said.
Moyo said that the play was not against men, but about changing the values of society. Painting a picture of false harmony will not help anyone when the status quo is largely disadvantageous to women.
“This is not a male bashing exercise, so I encourage men to come and see the play too,” she said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter