The 2022 Distell National Playwright Competition overall prize was given to Sibongakonke Mama who beat five strong candidates to go head to head. She was chosen for her isiXhosa and English work, Ibuhlungu le Ndawo. Mama’s submission to the Distell National Playwright Competition was her first attempt into the world of theatre.
Currently based in Johannesburg and working as an investigative journalist, Mama holds an MA in Creative Writing from Rhodes University, graduating cum laude. Born in Gcuwa, Eastern Cape, she has also studied journalism at Rhodes and the University of the Witwatersrand.
In their comments, the judges highlighted her moving script that weaves oral tradition, grief, cultural and family history through storytelling, children’s games, and ritual.
Apart from the initial prize of R5 000 awarded to all the finalists, Mama receives a further R20 000 as the overall winner of the competition. Part of her prize includes mentorship in fine-tuning her script.
Sporting events are more than moments of competition, national pride, and entertainment. They are economic activities that can stimulate tourism, create employment, support local businesses, and generate revenue across multiple sectors of the economy.
Umntwana womgquba a term traditionally used in the Nguni language that means “born out of wedlock,” but nowadays it is used to emphasise that one is born kwisintu. As lontwana, I look back on my own adventures: sometimes I pat myself on the back, and sometimes I wish I could redo them.
Each September, South Africa turns its attention to the rich cultural tapestry that defines our nation. Heritage Month is a time to honour the traditions, languages, histories, knowledge systems, customs and creative expressions that have been passed from generation to generation, while recognising that our heritage is not confined to the past.
My first encounter with heritage at the Mandela Bay Development Agency was, appropriately, somewhat uncomfortable. It began with cleaning. The Gale Monument, the Horse Memorial and the Queen Victoria statue became my first practical introduction to the business of preserving history.
