Dzeliwe street to become Festival’s open stage!

By Mcebo Maggz (intern)

Dzeliwe Street in Mbabane is set to take on a different role during the October International Theatre Festival, with the area expected to become an open stage for theatre, music, dance, visual art and community activities.

The street, formerly known as Johnson Street and renamed after Queen Regent Dzeliwe Shongwe, was highlighted during the official launch of the October International Theatre Festival on Thursday, September 10, as part of Mbabane’s developing creative landscape.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Senator Pholile Shakantu, whose remarks were delivered by Eswatini Tourism Authority Board Chairperson Penelope Mkhwanazi, said Dzeliwe Street had become home to several establishments contributing to the city’s creative offering.

“The journey continues onto Dzeliwe Street, formerly Johnson Street and renamed after Queen Regent Dzeliwe Shongwe. Today, Bahle Gallery, Embiveni Meat Plaza and Genesis Ekucaleni Media help make it a vibrant creative corridor,” Shakantu said.

She said the October International Theatre Festival would bring creative activity into the street during the festival.

“During the October International Theatre Festival, the street will become an open stage, uniting theatre, music, dance, visual art and community together,” she said.

The development forms part of the festival’s programme as organisers prepare to bring performances and other cultural activities beyond traditional theatre venues.

The official launch brought together representatives from government, the City of Mbabane, the creative sector and other stakeholders ahead of the festival.

Mbabane Municipal Council CEO Gciniwe Fakudze welcomed the festival to the capital and spoke about the city’s ambition to develop as a smart city.

Fakudze said urban development should extend beyond infrastructure and include arts, culture and the creative economy.

She said hosting an international theatre festival in Mbabane would provide opportunities for local artists to interact with international artists and for young people to be exposed to careers in the creative sector.

The festival’s programme will place particular attention on the city itself, with Dzeliwe Street forming part of the activities.

The street’s connection to the creative sector includes Genesis Ekucaleni Media, or GEM, which was founded by Shakantu.

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Mkhwanazi, who represented Shakantu at the launch, said GEM was established to create space for Eswatini’s stories, culture and creative talent to be developed and showcased.

“Genesis Ekucaleni Media, or GEM, is founded on the belief that our stories matter; that our history and heritage deserve to be preserved; and that emaSwati creatives deserve professional platforms through which their talent can be developed and showcased to the world,” she said while delivering the minister’s prepared remarks.

The launch also placed the festival within the wider history of theatre in Mbabane. According to Shakantu’s remarks, the city has been an important centre for theatre since the establishment of the Mbabane Theatre Club in 1963.

The minister noted that formal theatre in the country developed alongside existing traditions of oral storytelling, music, dance and ceremonies, which had long been used to preserve history, identity and community values.

She also recognised local theatre practitioners and organisations that contributed to the development of theatre in Eswatini, including Matiwane Manana’s People’s Educational Theatre and Modison Salayedvwa Magagula’s Siphila Nje Drama Society, both established in 1989.

The October Festival will continue that history through an international programme that brings artists and cultural practitioners from different countries to Eswatini. Shakantu also highlighted the importance of the recently opened International Convention Centre, which includes a state-of-the-art theatre.

She said the facility required quality local productions and described the October Festival as an opportunity to contribute to the development of the country’s theatre industry.

“The October Festival has come at exactly the right time, when our nation needs a revival of its theatre,” she said.

The festival will also include opportunities for local artists to learn from visiting practitioners. Shakantu said the exchange would allow performers, directors and technicians to gain exposure to different techniques and approaches.

“Exchange is how we grow,” she said. The festival’s founding director, Larry Mhlanga, was also recognised during the launch.

Mhlanga is an actor, creative director, arts manager, producer, choreographer and performing artist with more than 25 years of experience. His work includes theatre, film, television, radio production, talent development and international touring. He is also the founder of PelePele Arts Academy and has directed productions locally and internationally.

Shakantu thanked Mhlanga for conceptualising the October Festival and acknowledged his contribution to developing opportunities for African artists.

With Dzeliwe Street included in the festival programme, the area will form part of the public-facing activities when the October International Theatre Festival gets underway.

The festival will bring together theatre, music, dance and visual art, with artists and cultural practitioners expected to participate in performances and exchanges during the event.