Writer: Kukhanya Mthimkulu | Photographs: Supplied
Rooted in South Africa’s profound mining heritage, Coal Yard emerges as a poignant theatrical piece that delves deep into the complex, intersectional issues that have shaped society both past and present.
As you step into the theatre, you’re immediately greeted by the gentle strumming of guitars and the rhythmic pulse of drums, playing Hugh Masekela’s iconic Stimela in the background. It sets the stage—both literally and figuratively—hinting at what’s to come, yet still leaving an air of mystery. The stage is minimally adorned with only two hats on a stand and a single bag in the centre. While you find your seat and hum along to Stimela, the buzz of audience chatter fills the space, heightening the anticipation.
Stimela, Bra Hugh’s legendary song, speaks to the coal train that wound its way across Central and Southern Africa, collecting men destined for the treacherous mines of South Africa in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In a particular rendition of the song, Masekela paints a haunting image of men being taken to “funky, stinky, flea-ridden hostels,” where they long for the families they may never see again, torn apart by the brutality of forced removals. The coal train becomes a dual symbol: a beacon of hope for a better life, and a harbinger of destruction, tearing families apart and forever changing their fates.
Naturally, one assumes that the play will follow this familiar narrative. Yet, Coal Yard surprises at every turn. While it draws from the echoes of that past, it charts its own course, weaving in a raw and unsettling story that resonates deeply with today’s societal struggles. From its opening moments, the play confronts the issue of sexual violence, a topic not often explored, especially through the lens of male survivors.

At the heart of this tale is Tshepo, a young man whose life takes a devastating turn after being sexually assaulted by his father. The catalyst for his trauma? Something as innocuous as playing music from his father’s stereo. Unable to face the violation, Tshepo flees his home, leaving behind only a letter for his mother, explaining the horror he endured. His journey of self-discovery begins in a squatter camp, a far cry from his middle-class upbringing, with a nurse for a mother and a school principal for a father.
In this new world, Tshepo meets a mentor—a kindred spirit who offers him shelter and helps him secure a job in the coal yard. Here, the men toil in gruelling conditions: exploited, overworked, and severely underpaid. Yet, within this harsh environment, they build a community, supporting one another through the shared weight of their struggles. Tshepo’s mentor becomes his lifeline, helping him come to terms with his past and navigate the treacherous terrain of township life, all while encouraging him to stay invisible in a world that often preys on vulnerability.
As Tshepo delivers coal around the township, he meets a woman with whom he believes he’s fallen in love. However, the woman’s perception of Tshepo is clouded by the soot that clings to him after long hours of back-breaking labour. Her interest in him wavers, as she wrestles with the tension between his job’s security and his outward appearance. In the end, it’s Tshepo’s recognition of his own worth that leads to the dissolution of their relationship.
The play crescendos as the workers, exhausted by their exploitation, organize and strike against the coal yard’s oppressive conditions, demanding change. It’s a powerful moment of unity, symbolizing the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Coal Yard explores a myriad of themes: loss, grief, friendship, financial literacy, belonging, and the search for purpose. All of these heavy topics are approached with an unexpected dose of humour, making the play as entertaining as it is thought-provoking.
At its core, Coal Yard shines a necessary light on male sexual assault, a subject too often relegated to the shadows. With nothing but a few props—transformative hats that bring more than 30 characters to life—and the sheer talent of four actors, the production relies heavily on the audience’s imagination to fill in the gaps. And it works brilliantly.
Coal Yard is an unforgettable journey that captures the complexity of the human experience, one that lingers long after the final bow.
*Coal Yard is currently running at the Market Theatre and will continue until October 27th.