A scene from Sizwe Banzi is Dead – photo courtesy of Crossroads Theatre Company
In 1934, South Africa became a sovereign nation within the British commonwealth. It was controlled politically, socially, and economically by its minority white population. From 1948 -1994, apartheid, an Afrikaans term that translates into “separateness,” ruled Black South Africans. Apartheid created a system of vast inequality even going as far as not allowing the Blacks full citizenship. (information credit to“Apartheid in South Africa”)
The play Sizwe Banzi is Dead recently ran at New Brunswick’s Crossroads Theatre. The play deals with apartheid and the effects felt by two men who lived under the system. It was written by Athol Fugard, in collaboration with actors John Kani and Winston Ntshona premiering in Cape Town, South Africa in 1972. Later, it opened in London and won the 1974 Theatre Critics Award for Best Play. It opened on Broadway in November 1974 where it earned Tony Awards for both Kani and Ntshona. Additionally it was nominated for Best Play.
Elements that Made this Play Outstanding at Crossroads
Directed by Ricardo Khan, the recent production of Sizwe Banzi is Dead at Crossroads was outstanding. There were a number of reasons why this superlative fits their production.
The script has a format that is well written and filled with stories that allow the audience to better understand what life was like for those who were victims of the apartheid system. The use of the storytelling technique allows the audience to feel more a part of the story. At times, the actors break the fourth wall. This technique brings the audience closer to the action and themes of the play. Under Ricardo Khan’s direction, staging and lighting enhance the movement of the play. Unique touches such as old photos displayed on stage give glimpses of people’s lives.
When using a script filled with storytelling, good acting is a must. In this production, you not only get superb acting but you had two actors who gave impactful performances.Their manner of presenting to the audience was critical to the success of this production. Atandwa Kani played the roles of Buntu and Styles. The second character, Sizwe Banzi, was played by Kelcey L. Watson. It is through the performances of these two actors that the injustices of the system are brought to light in a most informative, interesting and dramatic manner. Their presence on stage drew the audience in making us care about what happened to them.
Stories that Tell the Tale of Apartheid
As the play begins, the two characters, Styles and Sizwe Banzi, are both at different parts of their lives. The play opens with Styles in his photography studio. His first set of stories explain how he became a photographer. One can tell that he is a man who keeps a close watch on what is happening in his world because he announces that he reads the newspaper every day. He presents a humorous antidote as he reads to the audience that “when a President does it, it is not illegal” and then announces Richard Nixon’s name! But this ritual of reading the daily news is important to him as he continues to gain knowledge of how to maneuver in his world.
He tells the audience about a job he previously held in the Ford Motor Company Plant in Port Elizabeth. Styles talks about the day Henry Ford II was scheduled to visit and all that had to be done to the plant for his visit. Through the story, one realizes how poor the conditions were that workers were forced to endure. There is a great effort to cover up all kinds of things particularly in the areas of safety and cleanliness. Styles had great hope for changes to be made after Ford’s visit. But he ends up very disappointed as nothing changes. It is then that he decides to leave the plant and become a photographer.
His work as a photographer gives him more of a sense of purpose. He can capture important moments in people’s lives by taking pictures of them. A clever stage technique is used to display some of the photos on the back wall of the stage. Styles also tells stories about people he has photographed and what value the photos hold for them.
Enter Sizwe Banzi
The second character, Sizwe Banzi, comes to Styles’ photography studio. He wants a picture taken so that he can include it in a letter to his wife. She lives separate from him and he is trying to reunite them. Sizwe is failing to keep within the legal bounds of the system. Since he has not found employment, the authorities order him to leave Port Elizabeth in three days. Under apartheid, he has no say in this decision. He has to do something.
While out for an evening with his friend, Buntu, a dead body is found in an alley. Buntu convinces Sizwe not to report it but rather to take the dead person’s book. These books are an important part of life under apartheid . It has the credentials Sizwe needs to stay and continue his job search. But he must destroy his own book which essentially makes him dead. This brings about one of the most stirring moments in the play as Sizwe speaks to the audience about losing his identity. He questions how much humanity one can maintain in a system such as the one he is living under. It is indeed a very stirring moment in the play.
Final Thoughts
Although Apartheid ended in 1994, Sizwe Banzi is Dead remains an important play to see and understand. The focus on the history it presents is important. The rights of human beings were deeply wounded and one should not forget or allow this to happen ever again. This is one of the great things that live theater does. Seeing a play which tells a story as important as this one can impact people in a most positive way.
