The third Teksmark Joburg creates a platform where new South African stories are presented to roleplayers in the theatre industry.

Teksmark Joburg takes place on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Art Centre’s Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus.

This script development project is presented by the KKNK and NATi, with the support of UJ Arts & Culture, The Baxter Theatre and the Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds.

Teksmark Joburg is aimed at encouraging the creation of new South African theatre scripts and connecting playwrights with stakeholders from the theatre industry for possible investment and further development.

Both emerging and established playwrights could submit proposals for consideration by a panel, who selected scripts for the record number of proposals received to be presented as playreading at Teksmark Joburg. Representatives of theatres, festivals, production houses and other possible investors are invited to Teksmark Joburg for direct discussion with playwrights about their work.

Pieter Jacobs, Head of Division at UJ Arts & Culture, says they are proud to host the Johannesburg leg of the KKNK’s Teksmark. “Creating space for new voices, ideas and original South African work is central to our commitment to shaping the future through innovation, collaboration and meaningful societal impact. By connecting writers and theatre-makers with audiences and industry partners, Teksmark strengthens the creative sector and helps promising new work to move from the page to the stage.”

Session 1 of Teksmark Joburg takes place from 09:00 to 12:00 with Nico Taljaard’s Die prosedure, Madinny Lebeko’s Ticket Number 47, Obett Motaung’s Death of a Postman and Loraine Wheeler’s Escape from CBD presented as playreadings.

This year, a special focus is placed on cabaret, satire and comedy and with this in mind, veteran director Marthinus Basson presents a fascinating introduction to the art of cabaret during session 2 from 12:30 to 14:30. New cabaret ideas and sketches by Llandi Beeslaar, Karli Heine, Ilse-Lee van Niekerk and Vihann van Rooyen are presented as part of this session.

Teksmark Joburg concludes with session 3 from 15:00 to 16:30 with Imaan Latif’s I’m too mad to tell you, Mosa Rabannye’s Meisie Fleisie and Luan Jacobs’s The 7 Ages of Sue. A special networking session for roleplayers from the arts industry and participants of Teksmark Joburg is presented at UJ Arts & Culture, following the final playreading.

At Teksmark Joburg playwrights have an opportunity to discuss their new script idea, followed by a short excerpt as playreading. Excerpts are presented under the direction of directors including Dion van Niekerk and Jane Mpholo, with various playwrights also doing their own directing.

On stage for the playreading excerpts are Minke Marais, Ivan Malan, Mia-Anne O’Kennedy, Mia Snyman, Neels Claasen, Liezl de Kock, Elicia Shirinda, Erin Patience, Katleho Jack Moloi, Aalliyah Zama Mdluli Matintela, Soiso Ndaba, Obed de Koker, Zizipho Nyulu, Adriaan de Ridder, Walter Strydom, Lutho Dala and many more.

Attendance of Teksmark Joburg is free and those interested can register online in advance to attend any of the sessions. All interested parties are invited to be part of the first seeds planted for the development of new South African theatre productions.

Members of the public are warmly invited to attend the Teksmark Joburg playreadings on Wednesday 21 October. Attendance is free and seats can be booked online at Quicket here: https://quicket.co.za/events/400091-teksmark-joburg-2026/#/.

The second Teksmark Oudtshoorn is presented in Oudtshoorn in die Klein Karoo on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November 2026. More information about the playwrights, performers and attendance will be available soon.

Since the inception of Teksmark, more than 200 script ideas have been staged by more than 180 playwrights for further development, of which more than 50 scripts have been developed to full-scale productions. These productions have also received numerous awards.

For more information and the complete programme for Teksmark Joburg 2026 visit kknk.co.za or contact the KKNK office via e-mail at info@kunste.org.za, phone 044 203 8600 or send a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.

J.C. Aucamp
jc@kunste.org.za
076 333 5945
KKNK
https://www.kknk.co.za/en/teksmark-joburg-2026/