For the first time in history, an all-female cast took to the stage to act out the multi-award-winning musical drama, Asinamali, which landed them the Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award.

In the OFM Art Beat Mid-Morning Magic’s Yolanda Maartens chat to Producer and Director of Asinamali, Thapelo Mokgosi about what the production entails and more.

Also read: #OFMKunsteklop: Literatuurfees by VS Kunstefees 'n boekwurm se droom

^{The all-women cast of Asinamali (from left): Onica Motone as Bheki Mqadi, Nondumiso Mbetha as Thami Cele, Girly Louw as Bongani Hlophe, Verelyn Wibooi as the Judge, Lebohang Nthoba as Bhoyi Ngema. Photo: Mbasakazi Makubalo}

Asinamali was written by Mbongeni Ngema, a tale of five black prisoners brought together in a South African prison is a theatrical poem, rising and falling in cadence with the sounds of singing, dancing, shouting and speaking. 

The play was inspired by events that surrounded the 1983 rent strike in the Lamontville township, led by the martyred activist Msizi Dube, in which the rallying cry was ‘Asinamali!’ – Zulu for ‘We have no money!’

For more information contact the North West Development agency on 018 381 3663