A letter from my absent father
The South African State Theatre presents DEAR SON: A LETTER FROM MY ABSENT FATHER.
The South African State Theatre, in association with Tseko Thukani, proudly presents Dear Son: A Letter From My Absent Father, a powerful and emotionally layered theatrical experience set to take audiences on an intimate journey of memory, pain, healing, and resilience from 21 to 28 June 2026 at the Malombo Theatre.
Created by acclaimed theatre practitioner and poet Tseko “TK The Poet” Thukani, Dear Son is a one act choreopoem that masterfully blends poetry, monologue, live music, and movement to interrogate the emotional realities of young men growing up without fathers. The production explores themes of inherited trauma, identity, longing, masculinity, and the enduring search for love and belonging.
At a time when conversations around absent fatherhood, healing, and emotional vulnerability remain urgent within South African society, Dear Son arrives as both an artistic offering and a social mirror. The production moves beyond performance into a deeply human conversation about the silences that shape generations and the courage required to confront them.
The production features an outstanding creative team led by Tseko Thukani, whose socially engaged artistic practice has earned recognition across South Africa, Botswana, and Lesotho. Audiences can also expect a rich live musical landscape composed by Ishmael Mohlabi, with compelling performances from accomplished vocalists and musicians including Tukela Pepeteka and Brine Nhabe, whose artistry brings emotional depth and sonic texture to the production.
Speaking about the production, Tseko “TK The Poet” Thukani describes Dear Son as “a deeply personal and human exploration of fatherhood, identity, and the legacies we carry.” He further notes that the production invites audiences “to witness how absence can shape us but never define us entirely.”
More than a stage production, Dear Son is an emotionally immersive experience that speaks to families, communities, and generations navigating the complexities of love, abandonment, healing, and reconciliation. Through evocative storytelling and striking theatrical imagery, the production creates space for reflection, empathy, and dialogue.
With its compelling fusion of spoken word, music, and movement, Dear Son: A Letter From My Absent Father promises to resonate deeply with audiences seeking theatre that is honest, socially conscious, and profoundly moving.
Venue: Malombo Theatre
Dates: 21 to 28 June 2026
Tickets: R100
Bookings are available through Webtickets and Pick n Pay stores nationwide.
Watch on SAST TV https://www.statetheatre.co.za/tvchannel/
SAST TV is the South African State Theatre’s digital platform showcasing performances, festivals, artist conversations, and behind the scenes cultural storytelling.
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Media Enquiries:
Bongani Nicholas Ngomane
South African State Theatre
E-mail: bongani@statetheatre.co.za
Nkhensani Mafuyeka
Nkhensani@statetheatre.co.uk
079 296 3871
South African State Theatre
http://www.statetheatre.co.za
