"We are already the country's leading broadcaster of news and information in English and we are passionate about creating a rich, new tradition of South African radio drama - also in English - for our listeners" says SAfm station manager, Mapule Mbhalati. "For the first time the output will be 100% locally produced, with no productions bought in from overseas."
The new weekly drama schedule will include an hour play on Saturday evenings, a half hour play on Sunday afternoons and a daily serial in the evenings (Monday-Thursday). As well as the current slots, plans are being made for a daily radio soap, abridged book readings and short stories. The drama producers at SAfm are also building relationships with community theatres around the country in order to discover and foster new talent, and intending to record more plays on location.
Comments Mbhalati "We are working very hard in training new drama producers, writers and actors from all sectors of our society and are excited by their potential new stories rooted in South Africa and Africa."
The focus is on commissioning new work, such as the Sobukwe play, that deals with themes relevant to South Africa in the early 21st century, and on nurturing a new generation of radio writers, actors and producers. Julia-Ann Malone, SAfm drama producer, who commissioned the new production, says radio provides a much-needed platform to aspiring actors and writers.
"Radio is a fertile breeding ground for new practitioners and new ideas because its costs are lower and it can take more risks. Writers can let their imaginations run free and be truly innovative. Our new drama output is a vital opportunity for the huge amount of creative talent in this country."
The Sobukwe play, called The Africanist, follows the life of Robert Sobukwe from his early days in politics to his time as leader of the Pan Africanist Congress to his solitary confinement on Robben Island. The part of Sobukwe is played by Moagi Modise.
It is the work of South African dramatist Anthony Akerman (Somewhere on the Border, Dark Outsider). Akerman was initially wary of writing about this controversial figure, who is often perceived as anti-white.
"I then read Benjamin Pogrund's How Can Man Die Better: The Life of Robert Sobukwe on which the play is based," he says. "Pogrund was a close personal friend of Sobukwe's and the man I encountered in these pages was someone I would also have felt privileged to count as a friend. Robert Sobukwe was a great surprise to me and I'm sure he'll be as much of a surprise to everyone who listens to The Africanist."
The SAfm drama schedule is as follows:
7.45pm-8pm
daily drama serial
7pm-8pm
hour drama
3.30pm-4pm
half hour drama
