Nomzamo questions how history remembers its heroes,

Written and directed by Thabang Kwebu, Nomzamo runs 28–30 Aug 2026, revisiting Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s legacy in a stirring Women’s Month tribute.

Thabang Entertainment and The Market Theatre Laboratory mark Women’s Month with the staging of Nomzamo, a powerful play that reignites the memory of Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Set entirely at Madikizela-Mandela’s graveside, the play is a powerful and emotional story about love, politics, forgiveness, empowerment and the unfinished battles of the struggle.

Written and directed by Thabang Kwebu, Nomzamo will run from 28 – 30 August 2026 in the Ramolao Makhene Theatre at The Market Square, Newtown.

It comes to The Market Theatre Laboratory with a Naledi Theatre Awards nomination as well as successful runs at venues such as the Joburg Theatre (space.com), where it earned rave reviews for offering “a holistic portrayal of Madikizela-Mandela” (News24).

Nomzamo imagines a powerful conversation between Dali Mpofu (played by a character called Daluxolo) and Winnie Mandela, where they reflect on their relationship, rumours of their relationship and the unfinished struggles of South Africa.

“In a moving conversation between the living and the dead, Dalu and Mama finally speak about their past, the rumours that surrounded them, and the struggles they both faced. As they revisit painful memories, they reflect on South Africa’s history, justice, betrayal and the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle,” explains writer-director, Thabang Kwebu.

Kwebu continues, “Nomzamo is not a political endorsement, but a moral conversation between now and the future, past and present, and between truth and fear. The play is not a piece of propaganda but an inquiry, confrontation and truth-telling through art. This is the conversation we are not ready to hear. But it is a truth we cannot afford to ignore.”

The work further invites audiences to question whose stories are told, who tells them and how history judges those who dedicated their lives to freedom, while engaging in contemporary struggles facing our democracy. Therefore, Nomzamo is not about resurrecting the past, but about interrogating the future.

Cherae Halley, Head of The Market Theatre Laboratory, says they’re thrilled as a space to welcome Thabang Kwebu, who is a Lab Alumnus, back where he honed his craft. Halley adds that the success of past Lab students like Kwebu is the inspiration behind the inaugural Lab Alumni Festival coming up in August, aimed at celebrating the legacy of The Market Theatre Laboratory and the generations of artists it has produced.

Don’t miss this piercingly honest exploration of justice, history, gender and political legacy, told with unmistakable theatrical brilliance.

Tickets for Nomzamo are out on Webtickets selling for R100 – https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1598866678.

Safe, secure and affordable underground parking available at Newtown Junction.

The Market Theatre Laboratory is a division of The Market Theatre Foundation, an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

For reduced price block bookings (of 10 or more) and school groups, contact Anthony Ezeoke at AnthonyE@markettheatre.co.za and 083 246 4950, or Khanyisa Titus at khanyisat@markettheatre.co.za and 065 955 7182.

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

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