“Katanga, January 17” is one of the most authentic Afrikan stories ever to grace the stage at the Market Theatre. Once more, the Market Theatre lives up to its historic reputation by offering its audience an extraordinary story that elucidates the prodigious anti-colonial icon status that Patrice Emery Lumumba holds.
“Katanga, January 17” recalls the historic and epoch-shaping events in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leading to the assassination of Mwalimu Patrice Lumumba, Mwalimu Maurice Mpolo, and Mwalimu Joseph Okito. These men sacrificed their lives for Afrika, and particularly the Congo, to liberate it from colonial domination.
The production, featuring a star-studded cast including Khutjo Green, Billy Langa, Nji Alain, and Thabo Malema delivers an incredibly dense and layered script. The show is unsurprisingly well-lit by Spider Mothetho, who brings a wealth of behind-the-scenes experience. The costume and set design are perfectly fit for purpose.
“Katanga” is a production that captivates you even before the announcements begin. As you enter the theatre, a cinematic soundtrack with a melancholic effect prepares you for an unforgettable journey. It is the magical touch of Tumi Mogorosi in the music direction that balances the scales.
The movement direction by Ginger Baleni choreographs an excellent interplay between land and water, colonialists and revolutionaries, love and hatred, loyalty and betrayal, tragedy and fortune, aspirations and realities.
The prowess of Lesego Rampolokeng’s mighty pen, alongside co-author Bobby Rodwell, weaves a complex story into an astounding yet emotive theatrical work. The production handles delicate subjects with the requisite sensitivity.
The knowledge we gain from theatre productions that reinforce the importance of authentic Afrikan history brings us closer to the ideal that Mwalimu Lumumba dreamt of when he said:
“The only thing we wanted for our country (continent) is the right to have a worthy life, to dignity without pretence, to independence without restrictions (freedom). This was never the desire of Belgian colonialists and their western allies.”
Perhaps only when we realize the utopia of Afrika being free from colonial enclaves—neither French, nor British, nor American, nor Russian, but simply Afrikan—will we appreciate the true value of freedom.
Anyone who watches “Katanga, January 17” will come to some realizations about the evil intentions of colonialism, but more especially, the audience will see the true colours of the French language. Nji Alain, through the character he portrays, rips open the romantic veil that has obscured the vision of Afrikans regarding the truth about French, their language, and their intentions on the Afrikan continent.
Khutjo Green’s portrayal of Pauline Opango Lumumba will transport you to a place of unmatched revolutionary love, especially when she receives and reads the letter from her husband. In this letter, Mwalimu Lumumba states:
“Without dignity, there is no liberty; without justice, there is no dignity; and without independence, there are no free men.”
This theatre production provides a clear view through the window of exploited opportunities in the DRC. It reveals the intersectional and often contentious interests of Western colonialists and the role of Afrikan collaborators in the grand project of pillaging the resources of the DRC.
“Katanga, January 17” is on at the Market Theatre until 22 September 2024. Tickets are available at Webtickets, associated outlets, or the Market Theatre box office.
Camagu!
