Chapter 2 Section 9 reads: The State may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth.
The Joburg-based Sibkwa Arts Centre returns to Cape Town after five years, fleshing out these themes in their latest production, Chapter 2 Section 9, directed by Phyllis Klotz, at the Baxter Golden Arrow Studio, from 28 February to 11 March.
Supported by the Constitution, Betrayed by the World
The ground-breaking play premiered at the National Arts Festival last year, where it scooped an Ovation Award, followed by hugely successful runs at the 969 Festival, Wits University, POPArt Theatre in Maboneng and the Vavasati Women’s Festival at the State Theatre in Pretoria – all to critical acclaim.
Robyn Sassen from My View wrote, “Klotz has crafted a searing play … the tales in this play are told with a burning bluntness and a frankness that is utterly electric.” While Mike Loewe from Daily Dispatch called it “utter brilliance … It’s not good theatre, it’s great theatre … touching, engrossing work.” Further praise came from Judge Edwin Cameron: “… a powerful, moving and unusual work … derived from scrupulously respectful and careful research … a searing, provocative summons to action.”
Chapter 2 Section 9, refers to that section of South Africa’s constitution guaranteeing the right to gender equality and sexual orientation. This gave rise to the tagline used to describe the play ‘Supported by the Constitution, Betrayed by the World.’
This is a homecoming for Cape Town-born, UCT graduate Klotz, artistic director and co-founder of the Sibikwa Arts Centre. She has always been at the forefront of highlighting woman’s issues through performance. She enters into a meaningful engagement with the phenomenon of sexual violence against gender-non-conforming women in South Africa.
Klotz worked at CAP (Community Arts Project) in Woodstock, started the now-defunct New Africa Theatre with Professor Mavis Taylor and the Young People’s Theatre Education Trust. Her work includes Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo (You Strike the Woman, You Strike the Rock), Uhambo and Kwela Bafana. In 2005 she received the Naledi Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to the arts in South Africa.
She says: “Theatre is a lived experience – it touches the audience both emotionally and intellectually. With the development of Chapter 2 Section 9, this becomes particularly relevant because the stories are shared by the four performers and it feels as if the audience is part of the experience. It feels immediate and real and I think that this has been a fundamental part of its success so far. It is also an important advocacy instrument.”
She continues, “The inclusion of the equality act in the Constitution was globally seen as a victory for the LGBTIQ people. However, despite these progressive laws they are still unfairly discriminated against, too often manifesting itself in the form of violent crimes which include rape and murder.”
Based on interviews
Chapter 2 Section 9 is based on interviews with more than 40 lesbian women, their families, perpetrators and police officers in order to get their view and understanding of hate-crime. These personal stories, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, interwoven with music, bring a clear message that LGBTIQ persons are still vulnerable to violence and discrimination contrary to the values of our constitution. The characters’ text is taken integrally from the interview transcripts.
The cast is made up of Ayanda Rose Fali, Khanyisa Nanase, Tsholofelo Ross and Ayanda Sibisi and are accompanied by Isaac Molelekoa, who composed the music for the play. Set and costumes are by the award-winning Sarah Roberts, lighting by Stan Knight, with research and interviews by Collen Mfazwe and Janneke Strijdonk-Xulu and translations by Smal Ndaba.
Corrective rape, so coined as to ‘cure lesbians’, is on the rise in South Africa. Theatre has been recognised as a perfect vehicle for change, LGBTIQ education is fundamental to overcome widely accepted prejudice and a play such as Chapter 2 Section 9 addresses these issues, makes them real, tangible and ultimately acceptable.
What: Chapter 2 Section 9
Where: Baxter Golden Arrow Studio, Cape Town
When: 28 Feb – 11 March, 7.30pm nightly.
School matinees: 2, 9 March, 11am
Public matinees: Saturdays 4, 11 March, 3pm
Tickets: R120 – R150
Book: Computicket 0861 915 8000, www.computicket.com Shoprite Checkers
Discounts: For corporate, block, school bookings, charities 021 680 3962
Age restriction: 16 years
Web: www.sibikwa.co.za www.baxter.co.za
Social media: facebook.com/BaxterTheatre, twitter.com/BaxterTheatre
WS
