A production featuring an all-female cast, Broken Pieces,could be the next big thing in theatres in the Free State. It is a production by one of the performers, Nthabiseng Mothibe (27), known as Black Rose.
The other cast members are Bonolo Mapota (21), choreographer, and Mamoeletsi Maleka (22), dancer.
The production headlined an event in which 12 groups performed that were part of the Artistic Incubator Programme of the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (Pacofs). Performances took place over the course of four days, 1 to 4 February, at Pacofs in Bloemfontein.
The programme is a developmental flagship initiative of the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC). It was launched in 2015 with the chief aim of fast-tracking the development of theatre programmes in the Free State, empowering artists and providing the platform to showcase their talent.
The focus is mainly on drama, music and dance.
The project has seen Mothibe breaking barriers. She seized the opportunity to inspire women to take the front seat and become a catalyst for empowerment.
She did so with her all-female dance production performed in the Sotho language.
“It is true when they say those who came before us laid a foundation for the next generation, whether it be good or bad,” says Mothibe.
“I wanted to create a platform for women to display their craft, and a healthy working environment where we as women can build each other up.”
According to Mothibe, through the production she strives to restore humanity and save it from itself, barrelling toward a “ghastly future” of extinction.
“Issues we as women face on a daily basis regarding gender-based violence and the lack of humanity inspired me to write the production. When we seek help in our communities, everyone just turns a blind eye. In our communities as black people, we have lost what we pride ourselves in: Ubuntu.”
Mothibe’s other production is titled Light of Roses, which debuted at the Mmabana Cultural Centre in Thaba Nchu in February last year.
She has appeared in other productions such as Evolution, Plug Soul, and Maka le Nnete (Truth and Lies), where poetry meet comedy.
She has gained further experience by working with the likes of Brine Nhabe, music composer.
The self-taught writer also does poetry in addition to acting.
Her lack of a university qualifications in art does not dissuade her from pursuing her passions.
“I have been doing poetry and acting for over ten years,” she says.
Mothibe says she has seen growth in her craft and is working tirelessly to reach even greater heights.
“The common challenges we have in theatre is getting the timing right, understanding moments and the objective of any movement, be it dance or acting,” she said.
