In his debut play as a producer, Ntsika Ngxanga asks: "Are you happy with the blueprint you're writing for your clan?"
This is the message behind Bapa, which premieres at the Olive Tree Theatre at Yarona Building in Wynberg, Johannesburg, tomorrow night.
Ngxanga, who is known as the leading man of the Afro-pop trio The Soil, says after he realised that most of his songs came to him in dreams, he resolved to explore the parallel universe which seemed to be echoing in his sleep.
"This is a very special story. A truly South African story told through the eyes of young South Africans, and we ask, 'are you content with your gift and how you're shaping it for future generations?'
"The subject matter stemmed from me getting songs from my dreams. I would have my great-great-grandfather, who was known as Mayiza, the pseudonym I have since adopted, visit me and I would wake up with songs.
"I spoke to Teresa Mojela (choreographer) and she convinced me that we should explore these spiritual visitations. Each time they come, they are here to enhance the gift we already have."
Billy Langa wrote the play, and he himself has visitations from his great-grandfather that result in poems.
Ngxanga has roped in Siboniso Mbhele and Mxolisi Madondo of Soulphiatown, a band signed under his Nomadic Tribe label, who join him as musician ancestors.
Ngxanga says the play is emotive and intense as it dips into the story of a father's longing to converse with his son after his sudden death and wants to tap into the power of speaking to the living.
Ngxanga says it took them almost three months to put the production together, using every little free time they had, including night rehearsals.
He composed eight songs, which he says are "fit for a Grammy Award".
"I played these songs for my family and they said they came from my ancestors. We did a run for the legendary Desmond Dube, who remarked that it was like something he has not seen in a long while. It felt like we had won an award."
Dube agrees: "When I saw that play I cried because it was such a perfect piece of art. I can't believe that in 2017 South Africa you have that kind of work struggling and going to small theatres."
They intend to take the play to Langa and Khayelitsha townships in Cape Town on December 20 and 21.
Ntsika's dreams turn into a play
In his debut play as a producer, Ntsika Ngxanga asks: "Are you happy with the blueprint you're writing for your clan?"
This is the message behind Bapa, which premieres at the Olive Tree Theatre at Yarona Building in Wynberg, Johannesburg, tomorrow night.
Ngxanga, who is known as the leading man of the Afro-pop trio The Soil, says after he realised that most of his songs came to him in dreams, he resolved to explore the parallel universe which seemed to be echoing in his sleep.
"This is a very special story. A truly South African story told through the eyes of young South Africans, and we ask, 'are you content with your gift and how you're shaping it for future generations?'
"The subject matter stemmed from me getting songs from my dreams. I would have my great-great-grandfather, who was known as Mayiza, the pseudonym I have since adopted, visit me and I would wake up with songs.
"I spoke to Teresa Mojela (choreographer) and she convinced me that we should explore these spiritual visitations. Each time they come, they are here to enhance the gift we already have."
Billy Langa wrote the play, and he himself has visitations from his great-grandfather that result in poems.
Ngxanga has roped in Siboniso Mbhele and Mxolisi Madondo of Soulphiatown, a band signed under his Nomadic Tribe label, who join him as musician ancestors.
Ngxanga says the play is emotive and intense as it dips into the story of a father's longing to converse with his son after his sudden death and wants to tap into the power of speaking to the living.
Ngxanga says it took them almost three months to put the production together, using every little free time they had, including night rehearsals.
He composed eight songs, which he says are "fit for a Grammy Award".
"I played these songs for my family and they said they came from my ancestors. We did a run for the legendary Desmond Dube, who remarked that it was like something he has not seen in a long while. It felt like we had won an award."
Dube agrees: "When I saw that play I cried because it was such a perfect piece of art. I can't believe that in 2017 South Africa you have that kind of work struggling and going to small theatres."
They intend to take the play to Langa and Khayelitsha townships in Cape Town on December 20 and 21.
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