Writer: Mthokozisi Mthethwa | Photographs: Supplied
Exploring African spirituality reveals that receiving a spiritual calling can reshape one’s entire life. This calling brings with it a profound sense of duty: a responsibility to commune with the ancestral world and bridge the spiritual and physical realms. Yet, the journey to embrace such a calling is rarely straightforward. Accepting it demands reconciling deep personal and cultural beliefs, stirring self-doubt, and sometimes even facing resistance from family or society, particularly in communities where spirituality may be misunderstood or stigmatized.
In traditional belief, unresolved communication with one’s ancestors can lead to inner conflict, manifesting as confusion, isolation, or even physical symptoms like illness.
IMXINWA is a theatre production that explores the themes of family, identity, and spirituality. The story centres on a child whose mother guards her home with the steadfast power of faith and prayer, while clinging to a deep secret. The unspoken truth ignites a spiritual war, unleashing a force that pushes her gifted child to the brink of death. The child, bearing a powerful spiritual calling, must uncover his true identity to reclaim his health and fulfil his awaiting destiny. The stakes grow as the struggle between concealment and revelation becomes a battleground for the soul, where silence is both a shield and a peril.
“Every idea in the play is a part of what was shown to me in a dream. The words, the vision, the direction. Even the people I worked with on this project were chosen by the story.” These are the words of Zusakhe Ngqame, creator, co-writer, and director of the play. Ngqame says that the story was inspired by his personal journey as a spiritually gifted person and the struggles he has faced in accepting his gift and embracing his true identity.
IMXINWA was first staged at The South African State Theatre in 2023 as one of the productions that emerged from the Incubator Program. The program creates a platform for semi-professional artists to present their work at a professional level, offering financial support to assist young artists with short-term employment and empowering them through mentorship and upskilling workshops.
Expressing his gratitude to the institution for the opportunity, Ngqame shares how the program has been instrumental in his growth as an artist.
“I learned and grew a lot from the program,” says Ngqame, a TUT alumnus and certified theatre maker.
“In the early stages of the writing process, I struggled with removing myself from the narrative, since the story is based on my personal experiences.” Ngqame admits that during the creative process, he found it difficult not to overshare about his life. The scriptwriting workshop offered by the Incubator Program helped him overcome these challenges. Through intense mentorship sessions, he learned that he could step back from the story, still tell it authentically, and maintain its intended impact.
In its initial run, the production received critical acclaim and was well-received by audiences, leading to a nomination at the Naledi Theatre Awards that year. Its most notable achievements include three honours at the First Independent Theatre Makers Awards, winning for Best Musical, Best Ensemble, and Best Supporting Female Actor (Zaza Cala).
IMXINWA is back on stage and runs at The South African State Theatre until 1 November 2024. Tickets are available at Webtickets and the theatre box office.
