The Market Theatre hosts the second season of Tembisa’s TX Theatre Hub, a four-day festival (23–26 July 2026) featuring five thematically rich plays.

Audiences are spoilt for choice as Masai Sepuru and Isaac Sithole return with the Naledi Theatre Award-winning Dark Magic and Standard Bank Ovation Award-winning Chasing Laughter, respectively. Mxolisi Masilela’s Adam’s Ale, also a recipient of an Ovation Award, makes a debut appearance alongside Untitled Deeds by Moruti Dlamini. Solly Ramatswi’s new work, Sinking, adds more flavour to the festival buffet.

The festival comes hot off the heels of The TX Theatre Hub’s successful showcase at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, presenting works that won the hearts of audiences.

“The first year proved that there is both an audience and a need for this platform. Returning for a second year allows us to deepen that work,” reflects The TX Theatre Hub’s Artistic Director, Mxolisi Masilela. “This partnership with The Market Theatre is about creating continuity for artists, building audiences for independent theatre, and ensuring that stories developed in townships occupy the same stages and receive the same consideration as any other work in the country. We are not simply presenting productions, we are investing in a theatrical ecosystem that values access, collaboration and artistic excellence.”

The 2026 edition also welcomes the valued support of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, who will be sponsoring a series of technical workshops for women in theatre. Starting from 23 July 2026 and running throughout the festival, the workshops will cover areas such as producing, directing, administration and technical. Participation in the workshops is free, but registration is necessary.

The TX Theatre Hub Walk from Tembisa to The Market Theatre that took place on Mandela Day functioned as a symbol that highlighted to township-based storytellers that there’s a pathway to present their work at a leading cultural institution such as The Market. It marked a long walk of roughly 40 kilometres for independent theatre-makers, where every step was a bold statement of faith for access to venues, funding opportunities and audience cultivation.

“Many creators in townships find it incredibly difficult to showcase their creations on big stages. So, our walk is essentially a movement of dreams, where the distance signifies the obstacles township-based storytellers continue to face when trying to bring productions to mainstream spaces. Having since walked the journey, we are bringing others on board to ‘show them the way’. To us, this is not just an exercise but a transfer of knowledge, mentorship and inspiration,” Masilela states.

Greg Homann, Artistic Director at The Market Theatre Foundation, speaks with excitement about the return of The TX Theatre following a successful inaugural run in 2025, saying this continued collaboration further affirms The Market Theatre’s commitment to community-based storytelling, amplifying voices, creating access, and blurring the lines between so-called independent spaces and mainstream platforms.

“We’re looking forward to having The TX Theatre Hub with us again. This partnership is significant to us as it brings us closer to the communities and stories often limited only by resources and access. The Market Theatre, across five historic decades, has cemented itself as a home to the South African story in its complexities. Through our continued work with The TX Theatre, we’re reassuring community theatre-makers that The Market Theatre is a space where they – and their stories – can find an artistic home.”

Don’t miss this year’s instalment of The TX Theatre Hub at The Market Theatre for award-winning, socially engaged and entertaining storytelling created with the heart, soul and authenticity of the township.

Tickets for the festival are available on Webtickets.

The Market Theatre is a Division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

For reduced price block bookings (of 10 or more) and school groups, contact Anthony Ezeoke (Audience Development) at AnthonyE@markettheatre.co.za or 083 246 4950.

For media enquiries, contact Bongiwe Potelwa (Publicist at The Market Theatre Foundation) at bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za or 011 832 1641 ext 224.

Bongiwe Potelwa
bongiwep@markettheatre.co.za
079 967 3441
The Market Theatre Foundation
http://www.markettheatre.co.za