Women’s Humanity Festival

AS SOUTH Africa begins Women’s Month, the Artscape Theatre plans to host its annual Women’s Humanity Art Festival by paying homage to those who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956.

The festival will be presented as a hybrid on-stage and online event, following lockdown restrictions.

The festival’s theme is “The Year of Charlotte Maxeke” as Maxeke’s anniversary is celebrated. The Artscape Theatre chose Maxeke in recognition of the inspiring work she had done in leadership, while always striving to help women achieve their dreams and focus on self-upliftment.

Maxeke helped organise the first anti-pass march for black women in Bloemfontein in 1913, and was politically active in highlighting social and political injustices to women.

Artscape chief executive Marlene le Roux said for many years, women have lived in patriarchal systems.

“The focus of this festival is to look at the systemic challenges we have. How do we change the mindset in our homes? How do we talk about cultural practices that are against the empowerment of women?

“Maxeke was a leader who also educated herself. She stood up for what she believed in, and she was proud of it,” Le Roux said.

The festival runs from early August and celebrates with performances including ballet, theatre and visual art.

In the arena theatre, actress Denise Newman will star in a one-woman show that unfolds the story of Dulcie September in Cold Case – Dulcie September Re-visited from August 9 to 11.

Silhoeët van ’n Vrou will be online on the Artscape Youtube channel from August 9 to 31 – poetry performed by Dean Balie.

The Cape Town City Ballet will perform Carmen in the Opera House from August 21 to September 4.

Sê groete vir ma is a one-man play performed by Hannes van Wyk from August 23 to 31.

In collaboration with local organisation Woman Zone, a variety of activities are lined up, including the virtual Artscape Women’s Humanity Walk, the Everywoman Care Bag project, a Women’s Day programme and a variety of podcasts.