SIZWE BANSI- AN AFRICAN PLAY AT ITS BEST

Sizwe Banzi is Dead tells the story of Sizwe Banzi, a rural black worker who leaves his home on King William's Town to seek work in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He is, however, ordered to leave the district because he lacks the proper work permit. With assistance from his friend Buntu he trades his name for a number and begins life as a dead man.

... delicately balancing humor and pathos, the work offers both a psychological history of the apartheid nightmare and timeless parables of the dehumanizing paradoxes of power.

The play was written by Atol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona in 1972.

Athol Fugard is a South African playwright born in Middleburg in the Eastern Cape and grew up in Port Elizabeth. Athol is widely regarded as one of South Africa's leading writers and directors. His impressive list of plays he has written includes No Good Friday (1958); Non-gogo(1959); Hello and Goodbye (1965); Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act (1972); Master Harold ...and the boys (1982);The Road to Mecca (1984); My Children! My Africa! (1989); Play land(1992) etc.

The acclaimed movie Tsotsi based on his novel recently won the Oscar award for Best Foreign Film category for South Africa. Athol has been honored wit numerous local and international awards and honorary doctorates in recognition of his contribution to theater.

John Kani playwright and actor is an internationally recognized multiple award winning actor director and playwright. His impressive list of theater credits includes Driving Miss daisy, Othello, The Blood Knot, The Island, Duet for One, Waiting for Godot, My Children! My Africa!

Winston Ntshona a playwright and actor formed the Serpent Players with Athol Fugard and John Kani. He has appeared in more than 20 productions to include Phaedra, The Island, Kagoos, Waiting for Gordot, and The Death of Bessie Smith. He is the recipient of the honorary doctorate from the University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

John Kani and Winston Ntshona