Living in this country is not easy. It is plagued by social ills — some well-hidden and others out in the open.
Many people would testify to this, but their love for South Africa remains.
The play Nothing but the Truth by award-winning playwright John Kani examines both the social ills and this love.
Sure, the play has been around for more than eight years, but the discourse is still relevant today. The conflict between the haves and the have-nots still plagues this society.
Set in post-apartheid South Africa, the play explores the relationship between those who remained in South Africa to lead the struggle against apartheid and those who returned victoriously after living in exile. The award-winning production is a must see.
The set has a township feel which brings about feelings of nostalgia– also carried by the story line reminiscent of a time gone by.
The characters deal with certain dilemmas that linger in many South African minds. Some people who fought for today’s freedom have felt pushed aside by the government, mainly because they didn’t have exile credentials.
Themes of love and devotion are also explored – the idea of loving something so badly, giving your all and getting nothing in return. Sipho Makhaya (John Kani) is a bitter man who feels pushed aside by the government he voted for. Kani portrays this sense of betrayal from all levels very intensely.
Meanwhile Thando (Motshabi Tyelele) and Mandisa (Welile Tembe) highlight the differing views about the way freedom was achieved, providing contrast.
Through love many are able to forgive and try to forget. South Africa avoided bloodshed — so much can be done in the name of love.
It is a story about South Africans and the changing nature of our society. The issue back then was the higher stature of those who came from exile. Today, our landscape is seeing a different manifestation of similar issues — the fat cat syndrome.
Through the play one remembers that all people created the success this country enjoys. As Sipho says ‘They must never forget the little people like me”.
Nothing but the Truth is running at the Market Theatre in Newtown and closes on October 10 2010