Zimbabwean actors tour SA with Protest

Following this trend is Zimbabwe's Rooftop Promotions, an arts company no stranger to performing in South Africa, after having been here on several occasions.

The Harare-based theatre company premieres its play, Protest, at the Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria on 13 September. It will then be showcased at the Theatre on the Square, Sandton, Joburg on 16 September before rounding off a three-city tour at the Fugard Theatre Studio, Cape Town on 18 September. The performances will be accompanied by an exhibition of photographs of Vàclav Havel, the late Czechoslovakian president.

Havel was one of the most prominent freedom activist icons in the world and the South African performances are a tribute to him.

The play is presented by the Czech Embassy in South Africa in partnership with the South African Department of Arts and Culture and the Vaclav Havel Library.

Renowned Zimbabwean thespians

Perhaps, the most exciting thing is about the play's actors: two renowned Zimbabwean thespians, Daves Guzha and O'Brian Mudyiwenyama are set to perform this two-hander. The duo is among Zimbabwe's A-list thespians and their performances are much sought after at home. It will be interesting to see how their following in South Africa has grown after the company's performances here.

Protest is a story of two men. Vanek is a protest artist, who, similar to Havel, suffers political imprisonment by the totalitarian authorities for his work. By contrast, Staneck is a compromising playwright who is promoted by the regime because he puts a positive spin to the difficulties his countrymen are facing.

Slowly eroding humanity

Havel's Protest demonstrates how the restrictions of freedom of speech and thought spread conformity across all members of society while slowly eroding humanity.

The play is intended to develop artistic initiatives that influence policy through community mobilisation and publicity of topical issues, simultaneously promoting freedom of expression.

Havel, who was a prominent freedom activist, is widely regarded as the European parallel to former South African President Nelson Mandela. Havel, a multiple Nobel Peace Prize candidate, was, similar to Mandela, a political prisoner and one time dissident who became a fighter for freedom, human rights and democracy during the hard years of the Cold War. Sadly, Havel passed away in December 2011.

Rooftop Promotions, through its Theatre In The Park, a venue that is home to some of the best Zimbabwean theatre plays, has made a name for producing highly relevant theatrical pieces.