Mother and daughter duos showcase African heritage at Artscape Theatre
Crew members of the Mother and Daughter in Song production at the Artscape Theatre Centre on Saturday, October 18 at 1pm. Pictured at the back, from left, are Mpho Shuping, Thandi Swaartbooi, Lungelwa Mdivasi, Neliswa Sampi, Qhayiya Sampi, and Nomapostile Nyiki. In front are Lungiswa Plaatjies, Khanyisile Swaartbooi and Litha Plaatjies.
Image: Supplied
Mothers and daughters from various townships will take to the stage at Artscape to celebrate their bond through music, dance, and storytelling using indigenous African instruments.
Mother and Daughter in Song, presented by Women Unite in partnership with the Artscape Theatre Centre and the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), takes place at Artscape on Saturday, October 18, at 1pm.
Two of the five duos will be performing together for the first time, while others have been sharing the stage since their daughters were toddlers.
Tickets cost R100 and can be bought via Webticket.
According to a statement by Artscape, the production is more than a concert - "it is a movement celebrating womanhood, preserving cultural heritage, and empowering women and girls through workshops, mentorship, and performance”.
The title reflects the journey of legacy, love, and empowerment between mothers and daughters, while creating awareness around gender-based violence, said Artscape.
Producer Thandi Swaartbooi told the Atlantic Sun that they would like to show their children what they can do with their mothers and teach the skills of playing the uhadi, a traditional Xhosa musical bow instrument; mbira, a traditional African musical instrument, also known as a thumb piano, that consists of metal tines attached to a wooden board; the drums; and marimba band.
“Also, storytelling, singing, and poetry help them express themselves creatively,” she said.
She and her daughter, Khanyisile, 30, have been performing together since she was about five years old.
“She (Khanyisile) would cry if we didn’t include her. She would be close to me when we were rehearsing, and then I would put her on my back. She wanted to be included,” she said.
Percussionist and choreographer Ms Swaartbooi studied at the Gugulethu community centre and started the Thandi’s Art Academy with the girls in her street, when she was sixteen years old.
In 2017, she founded Women Unite, which has since evolved into Women Unite, Entertainment and Projects. She has performed in parliament in Norway, Singapore, Denmark, and New York.
Ms Swaartbooi is also known for her work on musicals celebrating the life of the iconic singer Miriam Makeba, including Mama Africa: The Musical, which was showcased in New York in 2016.
The cast of Mother and Daughter in Song has been rehearsing for the last two months
Ms Swaartbooi, who is also a grandmother, will have to miss her five-year-old’s educare performance, which also happens on Saturday.
“She is also a good performer. My daughter will have to finish our show and then rush to watch my granddaughter perform at her school play,” she said.