What kind of play is Sophiatown?
‘Sophiatown’ was written as a protest play. Protest plays look at social and political problems in order to criticise or comment on them. The main conflict of the play is not between the characters, but between characters and society. Protest plays are meant to help point out problems in society to the audience.
What is the theme of Sophiatown?
The play, ‘Sophiatown’, talks about people being forcibly removed from their homes. This is an example of the violence people of colour experienced during colonisation and Apartheid. The constant violent oppression made violence a regular part of society.
Why is the play Sophiatown a valuable part of our heritage?
Sophiatown was one of the oldest black areas in Johannesburg and its destruction represents some of the excesses of South Africa under apartheid. It produced some of South Africa’s most famous writers, musicians, politicians and artists.
What is the plot of Sophiatown?
The story tells of the interactions between Ruth, the Jewish woman and the existing tenants in this shebeen, Jakes the writer, the elderly woman who owns the shebeen, her teenage daughter and her gangster son Mingus, his girlfriend Princess and his gopher Charlie, and Mr Fahfee named after the betting game he is …
Who is the main character in Sophiatown?
The production stars Sandile Dlangalala as Mingus, Barileng Malebye as Princess, Christine van Hees as Ruth Golden and Arthur Zitha as Fahfee, Sechaba Ramphele as Jakes, Tshepiso Tshabalala as Lulu, Joel Zuma as Charlie and Hlengiwe Madlala as Mama.
Who is Mamariti?
MAMARITI: A Shebeen Queen and owner of a house in Sophiatown. She is the mother of MINGUS and LULU. PRINCESS: Lover of MINGUS and good-time girl.
What is the conclusion of Sophiatown?
In the end, the government managed to force thousands of people from Sophiatown to Meadowlands in Soweto. The removal of people and the destruction of Sophiatown took place from 1955 to 1960. People’s homes and other properties were destroyed.
What four nationalities lived Sophiatown?
It was February 1955, and Mokine lived with his family in Sophiatown, home to 65,000 people – black, white, mixed-race, Chinese and Indian. “I could see policemen on horseback in our yard. Our parents told us to stay inside the house as they thought there would be violence,” he says.
How did Sophiatown entertain themselves?
A great many daily activities – cooking, singing, washing, talking, learning, fighting, partying – took place in communal yards and streets. A close-knit, vibrant and lively community developed and it is this aspect of Sophiatown that is fondly remembered by the people who lived there.
What is the socio economic of Sophiatown?
African children living in Sophiatown were particularly vulnerable to the harshness of urban life. Most families needed their children to find work from as early an age as possible in order to bring in much needed extra money into the family. …
What the Sophiatown forced removals were?
On 9 February 1955, the head of the South African state, D F Malan, sent two thousand policemen armed with sten guns and rifles. They destroyed Sophiatown and removed 60 000 inhabitants. The removal of the residents of Sophiatown was organised by the Native Resettlement Board, which was the NP’s local board.
Who wrote Sophiatown?
Sophiatown : a play
| Author: | Malcolm Purkey; Junction Avenue Theatre Company. |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Cape Town : D. Philip in association with Junction Avenue Press, 1988. |
| Series: | Africasouth playscripts. |
| Edition/Format: | Print book : EnglishView all editions and formats |
| Rating: | (not yet rated) 0 with reviews – Be the first. |