| What: Best of the Fest from the 15th Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival When: September 2025 Where: The Baxter Studio Theatre, Cape Town Bookings: Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores n Pandok se Liefde will be performed from September 9-13, 2025 Purpose will be performed from September 16-20, 2025 |
Exciting news is the staging of two award winning plays from the 15th Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival [March 2025] in a special celebratory season, Best of the Fest, September 2025, at the Baxter. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the two acclaimed plays: Purpose by Lwanda Sindaphi and ‘n Pandok se Liefde by Lauren Snyders. Read on for more. Info as supplied:
Celebration of the 15th Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival with Purpose and n Pandok se Liefde at Best of the Fest this September
The plays by two winners of the 15th Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival Awards will be performed in September at The Baxter Studio Theatre.
Lwanda Sindaphi’s Purpose and ‘n Pandok se Liefde by Lauren Snyders won theBest Production/Finest of the Fest Award at the Festival which was held in March. The productions enjoy the space and resources to be further developed and presented in a full run at The Baxter.
Lwanda and Lauren will also have the opportunity to work with respected industry figures Mwenya Kabwe and Lee-Ann van Rooi respectively to bring their productions to the stage.
Additionally, these winners will have their scripts published, thanks to the support of Junkets Publishers.
The annual Festival, which this year had the theme, Make Your Mark, is committed to having a tangible impact on the development of artists, audiences, theatre-makers and communities.
‘n Pandok se Liefde will be performed from September 9-13, 2025
Purpose will be performed from September 16-20, 2025
Written and performed by Lauren Snyders, directed bySamuel Jumat and also featuring Dealan Fredericks ‘n Pandok se Liefde is a compelling drama about a married couple who have to come to terms with their wounds after a traumatic event. This gripping play delves into the aftermath of trauma, exploring the profound impact of a dramatic night on their relationship and identities. It vividly portrays the fragility of manhood and womanhood when faced with unimaginable circumstances, inviting audiences to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit in the face of despair.
Says writer Lauren Snyders “‘n Pandok se liefde, is a raw exploration of trauma and survival. We create a space where vulnerability is honoured and where audiences can connect with the characters’ journeys to their healing. Our main aim is to bring these real-life themes to light. I am grateful to the creative team who have helped bring this play to life, and mentor Yael Farber who worked on the play with me for the initial festival.”
‘n Pandok se Liefde will be performed on
9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 September at 20:00
10 and 11 September at 11:00
13 September at 14:00
Language: Afrikaans & English (Surtitles available)
Age Restriction: 14+
Tickets: R120 (Full price)
R65 (Discount for block bookings, students, senior citizens)
Book at Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores.
Purpose, written and performed by Lwanda Sindaphi and directed by Thando Doni is a witty and romantically hypnotising production, accompanied by the density of a peripherally ancestral world. The play explores sacredness and spirituality from the lens of a young man who has engaged with his traditional forms of practice.
Set in the community of Delft, Lidinga Aba pursues a girl he sees as his soulmate. He wakes up every day to sit in a circle, in windy, rainy and sunny days, to just wait for this beautiful girl. His pursuit is disrupted by ancestral visions. His unfathomable love this girl turns him blind to the messages he receives from his haunting dreams. He becomes emotionally tormented when he realises that the metaphysical overpowers the romantic. Whilst spending an intimate moment with his soulmate, he sees the red-smeared face of his late grandmother. The circle turns to time, unlimited time. It turns to a scared place, a river. It becomes a liminal place. His life changes drastically.
Sound design for the production is by Mangaliso Ntekiso. Lwanda Sindaphi worked with mentor Monageng Motshabi for the play at the Festival in March.
“In a world filled with so much doubt and understanding of what Maths and physics can’t explain to us. Purpose follows a narrative of a young man dealing with the complexities of being summoned to be a traditional healer,” says Lwanda Sindaphi.
Purpose will be performed on
16, 17, 18, 19 & 20 September at 20:00
17 & 18 September 11:00 (Matinee)
20 September at 14:00 (Matinee)
Languages: isiXhosa and English
Age Restriction: 14+
Tickets cost R120 (Full price)
R65 (discount for block bookings, students and senior citizens)
Bookings at Webtickets online or at Pick n Pay stores.
2025 marked the first time The Baxter has curated the Zabalaza Festival, commissioning 15 productions in honour of the celebration and partnering with highly respected theatre makers as mentors to the artists.
“Growth and learning are a large part of Zabalaza’s process for the festival. We are sincerely grateful to the mentors, esteemed members of the industry, who have participated in this year’s programme: Mwenya Kabwe, Lee-Ann van Rooi Monageng Motshabi, Yael Farber, Mandla Mbothwe, Tiisetso Mashifane, Adrian Kohler, Jaqueline Dommisse, Lara Foot and Nico Scheepers,” says , Mdu Kweyama, Zabalaza Artistic Director and Curator of the Zabalaza Festival.
“We are proud to walk the journey with the winners, bringing their ideas from page to stage.”
The 15th Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival has been made possible by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports, the Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Fund, the Makwande Empowerment Trust, the City of Cape Town, the HCI Foundation, the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK), Nasionale Afrikaanse Teater-inisiatief (NATi), Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, Pick n Pay and Webtickets.
For block or schools bookings , charities or fundraisers contact Carmen Kearns on email carmen.kearns@uct.ac.za and Mark Dobson on mark.dobson@uct.ac.za
Visit https://baxter.uct.ac.za/ for more information
✳Featured image: Lauren Snyders and Dealan Fredericks in ‘n Pandok se Liefde, which will be staged at the 15th Baxter Zabalaza Theatre Festival Best of the Fest, September 2025. Photo: Xolani Tulumani. Sponsored content. Images supplied.
