Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena Sunday Life Reporter
MULTI-award-winning ensemble Umkhathi Theatre Works represented Zimbabwe with distinction at the 2026 Cradle of Creativity Festival in South Africa, delivering a captivating performance of its theatre-for-young-audiences production titled The Painted Kite.
The festival ran from August 31 to September 6 in South Africa. The Bulawayo-based theatre group was the only Zimbabwean ensemble selected to showcase its work at the prestigious festival, which was held under the theme, “Jumping Over the Kraal”.
The festival featured 21 productions from 10 countries, with performances staged across multiple venues in the Northern Cape, including Kimberley, as well as at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg, Gauteng.
Umkhathi presented The Painted Kite, a vibrant production that explores friendship, bullying, forgiveness and the power of imagination.
Set in a playful world created from recycled materials, the production follows two best friends, Sihle and Themba, who dream of becoming pilots. For the two friends, flying kites is more than just a game. Each colourful kite carries their hopes and dreams into the sky, symbolising their desire to one day take flight for real.
Umkhathi members who travelled to South Africa were Fidelis Tshuma, who played Themba, Sylvester Menyika, who portrayed Jason and Lorin Sibanda, who took on the role of Sihle. Martin
Khumalo also travelled with the group, providing live percussion during the performances, while Maqhawe Moyo was responsible for controlling the kites.
Speaking from Johannesburg, Umkhathi director Matesu Dube, who co-directed the production with Chipo Basopo, said it was an honour to be part of the Cradle of Creativity Festival.
“We had a great time in South Africa, where we presented The Painted Kite on September 2 and 3 at the Barney Simon Theatre. We received a positive response from the children who watched the show. As we all know, theatre is a medium that allows performers to receive immediate responses from a live audience.
“The children were asked questions during the performance and they responded very well. This was a clear sign that we delivered a great performance and that the show resonated with them,” Dube said.
Reflecting on the significance of the production, Dube said the South African showcase marked a major milestone for Umkhathi Theatre Works.
“We are excited as this was the first time in Umkhathi’s 28-year history that we took a theatre production outside Zimbabwe. We have traditionally been exporting dance shows so this was a first for us,” he said.
Dube revealed that the group is set to present its works at the Jacaranda Festival in Lusaka, Zambia, before staging a couple of shows in Harare later in the year.
The Cradle of Creativity Festival is an international theatre and performing arts festival for children and young people hosted by ASSITEJ South Africa. The festival showcases local, continental and international theatre, dance and music productions created for young audiences, while also providing opportunities for professional development and international cultural exchange.
Other productions presented at the festival included Dimpho and the Catfish, Butterfly Heart, The Boy and The Ball and The Young Scientist, among others.
