The Kaza Kamba Pan African Theatre Festival returns to The Market Theatre from 6–9 Nov 2025, uniting powerful theatre, art, and political discourse.

The Market Theatre and mehlo-maya (eye-to-the-sun) partners for the four-day festival of theatre, music, workshops, film screenings, and talks, curated by Bobby Rodwell and Lesego Rampolokeng.

An Installation speaking to the history of Pan Africanism on opens on Tuesday 04 November in The Market Theatre’s Lindelani Buthelezi Gallery, setting the tone for the festival, which brings together ten South African countries making it a very critical cross-border event, strengthening ties between countries and giving audiences an opportunity to immerse themselves in the stories of our sub-region.

Lyrics Unchained … where South Africa meets Zimbabwe meets Lesotho in a blend of poetry and percussion featuring poets Matodzi Ramashia (Makhafula Vilakazi), Mercy Dhliwayo (sista x), naledi chai (zeph), Thabiso Mohapeloa (Tha Hymphatic Thabs) with Gontse Makhene on percussion and hosted by poet Lesego Rampolokeng.

Mozambican Producer Joaquim Matavel of Grupo de Teatro Girass brings Peca Setimo Juramento – The Seventh Oath, witten by Paulina Chiziane, directed by Ramadane Matusse. Paulo Jamine plays a character who traverses dark worlds in search of a new global identity … one that offers wellbeing, social justices and love … through storytelling, poetry and movement … offering provocations for a better world. In Portuguese with English subtitles.

Workshops over the four days include: a performance dance workshop, Barena … Reimagined by Smangaliso Ngwenya; Finding My Voice, Speaking My Truth … Directing for Theatre by Liatile Mohale of Lesotho; a dance workshop on gender based violence, Still We Dance by choreographer, Gaby Saranouffi from Madagascar; the Somatic Library workshop on voice by Mpho Malesa and Gifter Ngobeni; and gubhu seNtshomi (Djembe of Stories), a workshop for young people by Sibusiso ‘Vonde-r’ Fihlani. There is also a workshop for the very young, our Baby Corner, for adults who wish to attend workshops or films.

Our films are: Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat [2024] a film by Johan Grimonprez examines the political machinations behind the 1961 assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba. [2024]; and Dying for Gold [2018] on the impact of Gold Mining in the SADC region, produced by Richard Pakleppa, Catherine Meyburgh. There will be panel discussions with the screenings of both documentaries.

Decolonising the Theatre Space is a two-hour Colloquium presented by Warona Seane with theatre producers from Angola, Zambia, South Africa and Malawi.

Our late evenings will be spent at our pavement café with music and an open mic for anyone to present a poem or a song – with food and debate in The Market Theatre Precinct.

In short, there is a lot to see, experience and debate at Kaza Kamba Pan African Theatre Festival.

All documentary films and workshops are FREE. Tickets for plays and our poetry music show Lyrics Unchained can be bought through Webtickets – https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1577437811. Kaza Kamba Festival Setimo Juramento: https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1577431186

There will be food and drinks for sale, as well as books and other delights.

Come and join us at The Market Theatre from Thursday 06 to Sunday 09 November 2025 for a weekend of live performances, film, workshops, and debate on Pan Africanism. Everyone welcome!

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

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

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