I am a Father is a site-specific theatre performance at Khanyiso Township in Pearston, Karoo. The production is targeted at an agricultural town where most men work as farm workers who stay on farms and return home every second week.
The men leave their families and children fatherless for two weeks at a time and only return to be fathers for the weekend before leaving again. As fathers, men have dreams and aspirations for their children and family.
This project creates a theatre production that offers a look into farm workers as humans, men, and fathers. It aims to provide a mirror and a moment of identification for the men of Khanyiso Township and wants to encourage positive masculinity as a basis of brother- and fatherhood among a mostly exploited and underpaid labour source by reminding them of other human functions such as caring.
Staging this performance in a public space, on the popular Mbulelo Mzo and Asijiki Streets, the project will be accessible to the whole community and provides access to professional theatre by showcasing a production with experienced actors that have performed nationally, abroad, and on television.
Collaborators:
Actors: Xolani Ngesi, Fikile Mahola,
Photographer: Bukiwe Magwa,
Community Liason: Nompumelelo Sokoyi,
Coordinator: Xolisa Ngubelanga
