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....

Share Your Memories & Be Part of the Legacy As South Africa prepares to honour two towering figures of its theatre heritage, Bongani Linda and Peter Ngwenya, practitioners across the creative sector are being called upon to play an active role in preserving their legacy. AmaXhanti Projects & Services Pty Ltd invites artists, collaborators, students, and community members to contribute to a living archive of memories, stories, and images that reflect the profound impact these two legends have had on South African theatre and community life. This is more than a tribute—it is a collective act of remembrance shaped by those who experienced their work, their mentorship, and their presence. In the true spirit of African storytelling and collective memory, the call recognises that these were not only theatre-makers, but community builders who nurtured, guided, and inspired generations. As the African proverb reminds us, “it takes a village to raise a child,” and in the same way, it...

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AmaXhanti Projects & Services Pty Ltd Announces a Landmark Theatre Festival Honouring South African Legends Bongani Linda and Peter Ngwenya Johannesburg, South Africa — 13 April 2026 AmaXhanti Projects & Services Pty Ltd proudly announces the “Bongani Linda & Peter Ngwenya Soweto Theatre Festival”, a landmark cultural event dedicated to celebrating the enduring legacies of two of South Africa’s most influential theatre practitioners, Bongani Linda and Peter Ngwenya. The festival will take place from 23–25 April 2026 at the iconic Uncle Tom’s Hall, bringing together artists, scholars, cultural workers, and audiences in a powerful tribute to South Africa’s theatrical heritage. This three-day programme seeks not only to honour the lives and work of these theatre legends, but also to reintroduce their artistic contributions to a new generation of practitioners and audiences. By revisiting seminal works and fostering intergenerational dialogue, the fe...

For immediate release Dimbaza Cultural and Creative Arts Festival Dimbaza Shack Theatre Launch For the longest time Mandisi Sindo and his company Khayelitsha Art Schools and Rehabilitation Centre - KASI RC have been working towards the betterment of the art sector in the townships and in the rural areas.  After graduating in Community Theatre Practice at the University of Cape Town in 2011, Sindo took a decision to go back to the townships to nurture, train, empower and inspire young upcoming creative artists in theatre and performance. He began by implementing and innovating the first ever Shack Theatre MAKUKHANYE ART ROOM in 2012, and later in 2017 innovated his second Shack Art School and Theatre - KASI RC which became the mother body of his innovations.  To prove the importance of his idea and innovation, Sindo continue to scoop awards in theatre for his critical thinking and methodology behind the innovation of Shack Theatre in South Africa.  In 2017 he received the...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 South African Sopranos to Grace The Mandela stage at Joburg Theatre 25 February 2026, Johannesburg, South Africa –  Imibungazo Personality  Management Production, in partnership with the Joburg Theatre , proudly presents the  third instalment of 10 South African Sopranos , taking place on 28 and 29 March 2026 at  The Mandela theatre.                   Image  Source: Joburg Theatre Produced by acclaimed opera singer and arts entrepreneur Sibongile Mngoma , the  production continues to celebrate the richness and diversity of South African soprano  voices within a powerful sacred production format. The journey of 10 South African Sopranos began in 2013 at Carnival City, followed by a  successful second instalment at The Playhouse Company in 2023, which played to a  sold-out audience.  The 2026 staging at Joburg Theatre marks a significant continuation  of a producti...

After Listening to SAGA at AFDA Johannesburg — The Sector Has No Excuse to Stay Silent By Thami aka Mbongo Manzana On the 17 February 2026 at AFDA Johannesburg, I did not hear a radical demand. I heard a sober, well-argued, legally grounded call for clarity. After listening carefully to the presentation by the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) , I left convinced of one thing: this is not an actors-only issue. It is a sector-wide turning point. And if we fail to engage now — if we fail to submit inputs, attend meetings, and support structured reform — we will once again allow decisions about our industry to be shaped without us.                       Image  Source: SAGA The Problem We Have Normalised For years, creative workers have operated in contradiction. We are called “independent contractors,” yet: We are directed. We are controlled by production schedules. We are bound by contracts we often have no power to negotiate....

  This Is Not a Routine Notice — It Is a Turning Point Why Every Creative Practitioner Must Submit and Attend On 23 January 2026 , the Department of Employment and Labou r published a notice proposing to deem performers in advertising, artistic and cultural activities as employees for purposes of key labour legislation in South Africa. For many in the sector, this may sound like another government circular. It is not. It is a structural shift that could redefine contracts, budgets, working conditions, liability, and rights across the entire creative value chain. And the most important part of this process is happening now: public participation . Why Making a Submission Is Critical A written submission is not just a comment — it is a formal intervention in policy formation. When you submit, you: Influence the final wording of the law Protect your specific discipline’s interests Raise practical implementation challenges Propose workable solutions Place your concerns on official recor...

A Necessary Transition, A Serious Commitment The transition from Blogspot to our own domain is more than a technical upgrade. It is a clear statement of intent. For The Creative Passport, moving from a free blogging platform to a dedicated domain signifies our serious commitment to building a credible, independent, and accountable online media publication focused on the Cultural and Creative Industries in South Africa. We would like to begin by thanking everyone who has supported the platform since its early days — readers, practitioners, artists, cultural workers, policymakers, researchers, organisers, critics, and even those who have challenged us.  Every read, share, comment, disagreement, and engagement has helped shape what this platform is becoming. This transition would not have meaning without the community that has grown around the work. Why the Move Matters Moving from Blogspot to a dedicated domain is not about aesthetics or status. It is about credibility, ownership,...