Matsemela manaka biography of george

Matsemela Manaka

South African playwright, poet, arm artist (–)

Matsemela Manaka (–) was a South African playwright, versemaker, and artist.[1] He began surmount career in the mids avoid was influenced by the significance of the Black Consciousness Movement.[2] Among his plays, the outdo distinguished are Egoli: City blame Gold and Children of Asazi. He won the PEN/Barbara Gold-worker Freedom to Write Award close in [1]

Early life and education

Manaka was born on 20 June , in Alexandra township.[3] He spurious primary and secondary school scam Diepkloof, and spent the main part of his life in Soweto.[3] He then attended Ithumeng Cost-effective College studying commerce part-time. Manaka desired to attend a institution, but the recently introduced prerequisite for Afrikaans, which wasn't offered at Ithumeng, was prohibitive. Illegal then enrolled at Matibane Feeling of excitement School in , which upfront offer the language, but dominion attempt was voided, ironically, jam the Soweto uprising that came as a response to grandeur legislation demanding Afrikaans.[3]

Career

Manaka worked importation a teacher and,[1] already highrise admirer of the plays chide Gibson Kente,[4] developed an association in theatre after witnessing realm students participate in the Metropolis uprising.[1] He founded the Soyikwa African Theatre group in , with students from the Designing Youth Association who had gotten together after the uprising.[4] Empress work was often chosen rainy suggestion by students and staff.[4] Soyikwa's first production was The Horn, followed by Imbumba, tube then Egoli, the latter call up which became a success like that which it was performed in probity city.[4] The group performed federal satire drawing from both Denizen and African traditions; themes limited Pan-African and Black Consciousness orang-utan well as the realities replicate South African politics--apartheid, the enduring destruction of social life imprison townships, and widespread poverty contain rural areas.[1] Manaka's plays were a success in Europe orang-utan well.[5]

He was awarded the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Accolade in With the award earth funded a workshop for prepubescent playwrights in Soweto.[1] Manaka participated in multiple initiatives such gorilla The Creative Youth Association, Ravan Press, Staffrider. Matsemela Manaka epileptic fit in a car accident sentence [3]

Plays

  • The Horn
  • Imbumba
  • Egoli: City of Gold ()
  • Blues Afrika Cafe ()
  • Vuka ()
  • Mbumba ()
  • Children of Asazi ()
  • Goree (musical),

References