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South Africa

The Latest

Essay
How The Last Country Amplifies Stories of Immigration and Belonging in South Africa
by Tonderai Chiyindiko
4 February 2026
Video
The Administration of Art and Culture Organizations  / L'administration des Organisations Artistiques et Culturelles
Art Management in Africa / La Gestion des Arts en Afrique
Tuesday 15 April 2025
Egypt and South Africa
Essay
Creating Sound Dramaturgy in the Visual Radio Plays
by Tonderai Chiyindiko
28 August 2024
two actors onstage in costume
Essay
20 March 2019

Kim Peter Kovac looks at the way the theatre for young audiences field has changed over the last few years, where it’s at today, and what his hopes are for the future.

Video
Saturday 7 July 2018
Bloemfontain, South Africa

The Vrystaat Arts Festival • Tsa-Botjhaba is an Afrikaans language festival that forges creative connections with English and Sotho cultures. They contribute to the exchange of ideas around arts, culture and society through connections with other national and international creative communities. PACE is a biannual arts market for African artists, developed for national and international presenters and producers, providing the highest quality inter-disciplinary arts (theatre, dance, music, craft, etc) from Africa, to buyers, artists and the general public.

Essay

An Advocacy Action Introspection

19 December 2017

Laura Shamas reports on the successes and challenges of launching the year-long social media campaign #52PlaysbyWomen.

Video
Monday 27 March / Tuesday 28 March 2017
South Africa / Sweden / Washington, D.C., US

Celebrate World Theatre Day with performances from South Africa, Sweden, and the US of an American classic A Raisin in the Sun. Livestreamed on HowlRound TV at howlround.tv Monday 27 March at 7:30 p.m. EDT (New York) / 23:30 UTC / Tuesday, March 28 at 12:30 a.m. BST (London) / Tuesday, March 28 at 1:30 a.m. SAST (Johannesburg) / Tuesday, March 28 at 7:30 a.m. CST (Shanghai). 

Podcast

Sizwe Banzi Is Dead and the Legacy of Anti-Apartheid Theatre

24 October 2016

Michael Lueger talks with Dr. Gibson Cima of Georgetown University about Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, it’s collaborators, and it’s lasting impact on South African political theatre.

Essay
15 October 2016

In this last installment, Paul Adolphsen interviews South African theatremaker Thando Doni about his artistic use of language and physical theatre.

Essay

Artist, Public Intellectual, Activist, Writer

30 September 2016

In this final #IdentityWeek blog, Julie McGarvie writes about pioneering playwright Lorraine Hansberry.

Essay

The 2016 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa

9 September 2016

Paul Adolphsen on the 2016 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa.

Essay
30 August 2016

In this installment, Paul Adolphsen interviews South African director Jayne Batzofin about her journey to directing and her work with the Chaeli Campaign

Essay
20 June 2016

In this first installment, Paul Adolphsen interviews Philip Rademeyer and Penny Youngelson, the co-founding members of South Africa’s Rust Co-Operative who will present two pieces at the National Arts Festival.

Video
Wednesday 27 April to Friday 29 April
New York, NY, United States

The Martin E. Segal Theatre Center presented PEN World Voices: International Play Festival 2016 livestreamed on the global, commons-based peer-produced HowlRound TV network at howlround.tv on Wednesday 27 April to Friday 29 April. On Twitter use #HowlRound.

Essay
29 January 2016

Josh Williams discusses the Barrydale Reconciliation Day Puppet Parade and its socio-political impact in contemporary South Africa.

Essay
11 October 2015

South African producer Sue Melvill writes about the founding and success of Industrial Theatre—theatre in the workplace.

Essay

The Tenth Women Playwrights International Conference in Cape Town, South Africa—Part 3

5 October 2015

Part three of Aphra Behn’s report from The Tenth Women Playwrights International Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

Essay

The Tenth Women Playwrights International Conference in Cape Town, South Africa—Part 2

3 October 2015

In the second installment of her series, Guerilla Girl Aphra Behn recalls some memorable moments at the Women Playwrights International Conference.

Essay

The Tenth Women Playwrights International Conference in Cape Town, South Africa—Part 1

2 October 2015

In the first installment of her series, Guerilla Girl Aphra Behn discusses the origins of the Women’s Playwrights International Conference and Guerilla Girls On Tour.

Essay
28 August 2015

Antonio Lyons talks with Lara Bye about her work as an artist and teacher in South Africa.

Essay
27 August 2015

Mncedisi Baldwin Shabangu writes about his career as an acclaimed actor and director in South Africa, and the decisions that led him to currently work exclusively in a rural village.

Essay

The Story of South African Theatre

26 August 2015

South African performer and writer Napo Masheane discusses the documentary that she produced, Ditshomo: The Story of South African Theater.

Essay
25 August 2015

Theatre artist Mxolisi Masilela pens a love letter to South African community theatre.

Essay
24 August 2015

Jonathan Martin shares moments and memories from his month-long trip touring and teaching in South Africa.

Essay

A Journey Into South African Theatre

23 August 2015

Antonio Lyons describes his evolving relationship to South Africa and discusses the country’s rich theatrical history.

Posters for the National Arts Festival.
Essay

The 40th Annual National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa

26 August 2014

Paul Adolphsen covers the 40th anniversary of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa, looking at the works exploring legacy and South Africa's first democratic elections.

Trophies of animal products.
Essay

Brett Bailey's Exhibit B

1 October 2013

Daniel Sack continues his reflection on the 2013 Avignon Festival with a look at South African director Brett Bailey's installation-performance on colonial injusticies.

A performer holds a large suitcase onstage.
Essay
4 February 2026

Amid flareups of anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa, The Last Country offers a much-needed platform for migrant voices. Tonderai Chiyindiko discusses the production, its origins in oral history data, and the conversations it generates. 

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