Fort Hare students raise awareness with GBV play

Xa Bekutheni? This is a play written by art students at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in East London, UFH Drama Society, in collaboration with Start Art Creative, who were moved by the horrific events of women’s brutal murders.

Yanga Mabetshe, the producer and director of the UFH Drama Society, said that this is how they spread the message to the public as well as express their voice to those who are victims and those who continue to abuse women.

“This play is an educational piece about GBV incidents in our communities. The country was saddened by the incident involving UFH student Nosicelo Mtebeni, and we students were saddened by it, which is why we decided to create this play about it in order to spread the word and heal souls.

“This play serves as a lesson to many, and we believe that change is possible. We believe that GBV begins at home and continues until the child reaches adulthood, when they end up fighting against people who have done nothing wrong to them,” said Mabetshe.

Lefty Malibongwe Madyo, an assistant in this story who is also an actor, said that being in character teaches them more about GBV.

“This play is beneficial to men. Being a part of this play helps me grow and teaches me that raising my hand at my partner is not the solution. The key to resolving our issues is communication,” said Madyo.

The play was performed at the Guild Theatre in East London on Monday, November 14.

This story, Xa Bekutheni? is about a woman who met a man and fell in love; the woman continued to want everything she saw others having. The man was struggling financially, which caused anger issues and increased abuse, and he eventually killed her.

The performers in this play are: Nelisiwe Jonas, Buhle Jack, Zoliswa Mfiniso, Anathi Phandele, and Somikazi Tshalanga.