SOUTH AFRICAN THEATRE TRIUMPHS IN OMAN
The Pilgrimage Wins Special Jury Award at International Festival
South African theatre continues to demonstrate its power, relevance, and global appeal as The Pilgrimage, presented by African Tree Productions, has been awarded the Special Jury Award at the inaugural Offer International Theatre Festival in Oman.
The award marks another significant milestone for South African theatre on the international stage and serves as recognition of the creativity, resilience, and artistic excellence that continue to emerge from the country's independent theatre sector.
In a congratulatory message to the company, the festival organisers wrote:
"Congratulations on receiving the Special Jury Award for The Pilgrimage at the first edition of the Offer International Theatre Festival. It was an honour to host your outstanding production in Oman. Your performance enriched the festival programme and reflected the creativity, professionalism, and artistic excellence of South African theatre."
For African Tree Productions Director, Seiphemo Motswiri, the achievement belongs not only to the company but to every South African who believes in the transformative power of the arts.
"With heartfelt gratitude, we extend our deepest thanks to everyone who played a part in this journey, our gracious hosts in Oman, our fellow South Africans, our cherished friends across the globe, the National Arts Council, the Sello Maake Ka-Ncube Foundation, our dedicated creative team, theatre lovers, and the tireless African Tree Productions team who worked relentlessly to ensure the success of this tour. This award belongs to all of you. Let us celebrate together, for it is a testament to our collective spirit, creativity, and unwavering commitment to the arts."
A Township Theatre Company Flying the South African Flag
African Tree Productions, a township-based theatre company, has quietly become one of South Africa's most consistent cultural ambassadors on the international theatre circuit.
In 2024, the company travelled to Russia and returned with two international awards despite receiving no support from the South African government or public funding structures. In 2025, the company represented South Africa in Kuwait and once again returned home with an international award.
This year's tour to Oman was made possible through the support of the National Arts Council (NAC), a contribution that Motswiri acknowledges made a significant difference in enabling the company to participate on the global stage.
The success of The Pilgrimage demonstrates the importance of investing in South African artists and cultural practitioners who continue to elevate the country's reputation internationally.
A Story of Faith, Humanity and Understanding
Supported by the National Arts Council and the Sello Maake Ka-Ncube Foundation, The Pilgrimage is written by Kgosana Thekwane and directed by acclaimed theatre practitioner Sello Maake Ka-Ncube.
The production features Ikobeng Moatlhodi and Seiphemo Motswiri, with dramaturgy by Dixon Malele, lighting design by Fortune Mogwaneng, and graphic design by Makhubalo Ikaneng.
The play follows the journey of two pilgrims, Mashudu and Nkosinathi, who are thrown into a seemingly bottomless pit by evil forces while travelling to a holy mountain. Trapped in darkness and confronted by unimaginable hardship, their differing religious beliefs become both a source of conflict and an opportunity for transformation.
Through themes of faith, survival, friendship, and human dignity, the production asks profound questions about what unites people beyond doctrine and dogma.
From A Gift from God to The Pilgrimage
The journey of The Pilgrimage is itself a story of artistic perseverance.
The work was originally directed by Seiphemo Motswiri under the title A Gift from God, featuring actors Sello Maepa and Xolani Dlamini. The production achieved considerable success, winning the GOMACC Best Ensemble Award and earning recognition as the festival's Second Best Production.
Despite its success, financial challenges forced the production into temporary retirement.
Years later, when an opportunity arose to participate in the Offer International Duo-Drama Festival, African Tree Productions revisited the work. Following a review of the production's previous staging at POP Art Theatre, playwright Kgosana Thekwane reworked the script and introduced a new title The Pilgrimage.
The reimagined production would go on to become one of the most discussed works at the festival.
Sparking International Conversations About African Spirituality
Beyond its artistic achievements, The Pilgrimage has opened important conversations about African spirituality and intercultural understanding.
The production centres on two men — one a practitioner of African spirituality and the other a born-again Christian. Rather than positioning one belief system above another, the play explores faith as a personal choice while encouraging mutual respect and coexistence.
Its impact extended beyond the theatre venue in Oman. Following performances, Motswiri was invited into discussions with audience members and theatre practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of African spirituality.
These engagements provided opportunities to challenge common misconceptions that often equate African spiritual traditions with witchcraft or black magic. They also highlighted the need to distinguish between traditional healing practices and harmful stereotypes that have historically been used to demonise indigenous African belief systems.
Perhaps most significantly, the production inspired conversations among international theatre-makers about translating the play into Arabic and presenting it in new cultural contexts.
Such interest demonstrates the universal relevance of African stories and their capacity to build bridges across cultures, religions, and continents.
A Victory for South African Theatre
The success of The Pilgrimage is more than an award for a single production. It is a reminder that South African theatre continues to produce work of international significance despite persistent funding challenges and limited opportunities.
At a time when artists often struggle for resources and recognition, African Tree Productions has shown what is possible when talent, determination, and institutional support come together.
As South Africa celebrates another international achievement, The Pilgrimage stands as a powerful testament to the enduring strength of African storytelling and the ability of theatre to create dialogue, understanding, and human connection across borders.
From the townships of South Africa to the stages of Oman, the journey continues.
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