Amandla Cultural Ensemble - The Production
With support from the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and the South African State Theatre, Barungwa Productions will be bringing the Amandla Cultural Ensemble - The Production to the South African stage for the first time on 4 and 5 December 2015.
In a world that has become characterised by struggle, conflict and dislocation, live musical theatre serves as a panacea that brings generations together. The universal themes of unity, celebrating diversity and addressing injustice have few means of expression that are as effective as the arts. The language of music, combined with the physicality of theatre, dissolves the borders that otherwise divide humanity across cultural and socio-political lines.
The 1970s saw the leaders of South Africa's liberation project employing the use of the arts as the most powerful aspect of the armed struggle in the form of the protest musical Amandla Cultural Ensemble. It was originally developed and produced by world-renowned trombonist Dr Jonas Gwangwa in Angola and it went on to galvanise international solidarity and support for liberation movements in exile. The production communicated the injustices of the Apartheid system to the global community. Solidarity movements responded to the call through multiple endeavours that saw donations of food, clothing, medication, transportation, educational and skills development opportunities for exiled South Africans.
From 1980 to 1990 Amandla travelled the world, performing in numerous countries including Angola, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Ghana, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Libya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Nigeria, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, Tanzania, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In 1990, the Amandla Cultural Ensemble settled and finally dismantled in Zimbabwe as apartheid came to an end and liberation organisations were unbanned in South Africa. It has never been staged at home - until now.
For more information contact Barungwa Productions:
az.oc.orpawgnurab@ofni
az.oc.noitcudorpehtaldnama@ofni
Ntsako Mkhabela (Production Manager) - 076 238 6702
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Barungwa Productions
Date: 04 December 2015 to 05 December 2015Time: 19:00
Venue: Drama Theatre, State Theatre, 320 Pretorius Street, Pretoria
Cost: R180-R200