“No matter how long and dark the night is, a new dawn will break,” says an African proverb.
Inkciyo – The Remains is a reimagining of the creative history production, Ukuzazi/Princess Emma, directed by Ingrid Wylde. The play is based on the book, Princess Emma, written by Janet Hodgson detailing the life of “Emma”, a Xhosa woman who was given to the then British leadership.
A shift in the Eastern Cape Royal consciousness came at the end of the many frontier wars. A new social order was purposefully created, tainted with colonial propaganda, corruption and military chaos. It resulted in decades of long, dark nights in the narratives of umafungashe kakumkani uSandile
uFitoli.
A new dawn has emerged, highlighted by the desire and search for different kinds of history. For the untold to be told, in order to close some of the gaps. For narratives about the efforts to overcome a legacy of oppression.
Inkciyo is a theatrical exploration of events, which journeys to redefine order and chaos in the hope of Transformation.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
KEEN VISUALS PTY/LTD
Cast:
Ntomboxolo Donyeli
Sisonke Yafele,
Nombasa Ngoqo
Busisiwe Johnson
Producer: Masixole Zinzo Patrick Heshu
Assistant Directors:
Khanya Ngcuka
Vuyo Magula
Nasiphi Mahlati
Coordinator: Akhona Namba
PRODUCTION GALLERY
Trailer
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Masixole Zinzo Patrick Heshu was born in Makhanda, Eastern Cape. He currently resides in Cape Town. He matriculated in Nombulelo Secondary School, after which he completed a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree. Following that, he obtained his honours degree, specialising in Directing and Applied Theatre. Both degrees were
completed at Rhodes University, where he is currently a Masters in Arts candidate focusing on Creative
History methodology.
He is also a workshop facilitator that has worked with the National Schools Festival, Eastern Cape Schools Festival, Sci-Fest Africa, Equity and institutional Culture Unit, Rhodes Alumni and Correctional Services. He recently published a paper in the Journal of Indigenous and Shamanic Studies titled “Makhanda: reflections of the past, present and future.”
Sisonke Yafele is a professional performer, who has worked with various groups and professional companies, including Brett Bailey’s Third World Bunfight. He has performed at the National Arts Festival in ‘The Prophet’ and ‘imumbo jumbo’. He has worked full time for uBom! Eastern Cape Drama Company as a workshop facilitator for schools and as a full time performer. He has acted in various plays including ‘Kiss my Boot’, alongside Andrew Buckland in ‘Breed’, and ‘Love Amongst the Bones’, ‘Wreckage’ and ‘ukuzazi Princess Emma’, all on the National Arts Festival Main Programm. He is currently working at the Amazing Other Show at Rhodes University and is an assistant director for Elesen Theatre Productions.
Ntomboxolo ‘Nox’ Donyeli has been involved in the performance arts, facilitation and creation of work for over 17 years. She trained as a theatre practitioner with HQ Acting for two years, and also studied drama at Rhodes University. She worked for Third World Bunfight and for uBom! Eastern Cape Drama Company as a performer and facilitator. She has shared the stage with actors such as Andrew Buckland and Beki Mkwane. She has also adjudicated the Makana Drama Development Festival that is run by uBom!. She is currently a director of ELELSEN Productions.
Nasiphi Mahlati is currently working at Rhodes Music Radio as the Head of News and has previously worked there as both anchor and producer. She has worked as head writer for the Rhodes University SRC and as the stage manager for the Drama Department.
Akhona Namba is a creative and passionate theatre practitioner with over 5 year’s experience in acting and singing in multiple South African productions, both medium scale and small. She is passionate about the arts and entertainment industry. She also possesses administration skills and teaching experience as a TEFL certificate holder.
Busisiwe Anda Johnson is a writer, singer and performer. She prides herself on her ability to deliver versatile performances in her craft. She has numerous productions in the Rhodes Drama Department, offering herself as a body in space and at times as a voice in the wings. Throughout highschool, she has worked very closely with the Masifunde YSC (Youth for Safer Communities) programme in devising and directing educational plays. This foundation helped shape and sharpen her skills as an artist and furthermore gave her a once in a lifetime opportunity to go abroad and perform in Germany under a program called ‘Let’s Make Ubuntu’. Theatre is her first love and passion. It is always an honor for her to put on the shoes of each and every character she is assigned to portray.