MANTSOPA

MANTSOPA 

At the Market Theatre to watch the highly acclaimed play "Mantsopa" by Dr. Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha. The scenery was so cool, the majority of people had on their traditional attire, they donned blankets wrapped around their shoulders. You could feel the spirit of the Basotho people. The dialogue between people was also in Sesotho, the demographic was well represented. This is such a great show! So original and authentically African. I love the Market Theatre because it tells our stories. Last thing I said after the bow was "wow", it was the general consensus, it induces goosebumps. 

Mantsopa, whose grave lies at Modderpoort in the eastern Free State, was born in 1793 and died in 1908. A survivor of famine and subsequent cannibalism, she grew to become a trusted advisor to King Moshoeshoe I, correctly predicting victorious battle outcomes for Basotho against colonial settlers and speaking truth to power with unshaking honesty. She was a prophet, a seer with incredible foresight to predict the future accurately. This foresight led people into thinking that she was a witch with extraterrestrial powers! She lived to be a 111 years old, living across three centuries. 

The story follows fictitious great granddaughter Tholoana who has inherited the gift of song. Rejecting her calling, she gets an opportunity to work at club in the city as a singer. She runs from herself. Tholoana's attitude towards this calling and gift is one of derision. She doesn't want the gift, she doesn't want the fame, she'd rather be a psychologist, studying other people's minds instead. In the city, things don't go according to script. Despite her best efforts, she is rejected. Her suitor from her village in Lesotho who is smitten by her comes along and attempts to put her in alignment with who she really is - the great granddaughter of Mantsopa and the chosen one. Following her rejection, he succeeds and Tholoana embraces her calling, her destiny. The story features music and dance. The live band curate the story through unique instruments that produce sound effects that mimic nature, birds, rain, the band are a constant fixture of the show. They provide depth and feeling to the show. The performers were outstanding, performing with feeling and conviction. They inhabited the characters they were playing. They were relatable and the interactions between the characters was naturalistic and free-flowing. The set is just gorgeous! I loved the poetry. I loved everything.

The actors

Florence Masebe

Leomile Motsetsela

Tseko Monaheng

Itumeleng Mofokeng

Lebohang Banyane

Music Director and Keyboardist

Mawande Stuurman

Percussionist and Drummer

Godfrey Mgcina

Vocalist

Nomhle Pearl Nongogo

Costumes and Props designer

Sinenhlanhla Zwane

Lighting designer

Nomvula Molepo

Congratulations Dr. Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha and the whole team for a great show and a deserved standing ovation.

📷: Naomi Mokhele 

📷: SamSays 

https://youtu.be/jXzhUaV-MrM?si=Z7e6iHbDHUzeJY_5