![Thabiso Newman and Siyabulela Marinana of Ubumnandi Bethu in Life After Hurt. Thabiso Newman and Siyabulela Marinana of Ubumnandi Bethu in Life After Hurt.](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/thabiso_newman_and_siyabulela_marinana_of_ubumnandi_bethu_in_life_after_hurt.jpg)
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) has made it possible for a rural drama group from Knysna to perform its award-winning theatre production at the ABSA Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) taking place in Oudtshoorn from 29 March to 5 April 2014.
Thabiso Newman and Siyabulela Marinana of Ubumnandi Bethu will be taking the stage with the play "Life After Hurt" on 5 April 2014 at the Courant van Rheede Saal from 09:00.
Newman wrote the play and Marinana is its director. The production was the overall winner of the Cape Winelands/ Eden Drama Festival at the Suidoosterfees in January this year. It deals with relationships by telling stories from Knysna's informal settlement – a love story with a twist. The piece is expected to find resonance with a wide audience.
What made the cast’s achievement even more remarkable was that one of the actors, Mhle Sesethu, passed away on 12 January after complaining of a headache. Marinana took his place to enable the show to go on. In addition to writing the play, the talented Newman recently auditioned for a role and appearance in 7de Laan, which will be aired on 14 May.
The inclusion of Ubumnandi Bethu in one of South Africa’s leading annual arts festivals is the product of a solid partnership between DCAS and KKNK. Moeniel Jacobs of DCAS says the Eden Drama Festival was initiated by the Department in 2011 and has grown successfully through partnerships with various arts organisations. “All the Eden winners since the festival’s inception have presented their shows at the KKNK to audience acclaim,” says Jacobs.
DCAS and KKNK are ensuring that these young emerging artists get opportunities to perform on the professional stage and get access to development opportunities from professionals in the field. Tickets cost R60 at Computicket.
Tania Colyn
Acting Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: tania.colyn@westerncape.gov.za