Gig Guide: She Bellows Comes to East London, Kwanda Mahlombe releases Ungayeki and Kaza Kamba returns to The Market Theatre

On August 22, East London will host a groundbreaking theatrical experience as Zimkitha Kumbaca presents Confessions of a Blacklisted Woman: She Bellows at Legends Showcase Exclusive Venue. This one-night interactive showcase promises to challenge traditional audience engagement, breaking the fourth wall to invite viewers directly into the narrative. The play employs satire, dark humor, and surrealism to explore complex themes such as black womanhood, patriarchy, and gender-based violence. Central to the production are five life-sized dolls striving to become “real” African women, navigating societal expectations, silencing, and control. Performed by students from the Sonwa Sakuba Institute for the Performing Arts, the show aims to provoke discomfort, encourage reflection, and spark meaningful dialogue. The performance begins at 6 p.m. at 42 Stewart Drive, Berea. Early bird tickets cost R100, while door prices are R150, available via Webtickets. Meanwhile, Kwanda Mahlombe, an Eastern Cape vocalist from Komani, continues to build momentum with his new single Ungayeki, now available on all major streaming platforms. Mahlombe discovered his passion for music during school years, initially finding his place behind a keyboard before exploring vocal performance through arts and culture classes. His talent earned him a spot in Idols South Africa, reaching the Top 16 and offering a glimpse of possibilities beyond his rural roots. Since then, his online presence has grown steadily, drawing attention from notable figures like Vusi Nova. Ungayeki, which translates to “don’t give up,” encapsulates Mahlombe’s personal journey of resilience amid uncertainty and obstacles. The track serves as both a motivational anthem and a reflection of his unwavering determination to persist despite challenges. From August 20 to 23, The Market Theatre in Johannesburg will welcome the return of the Kaza Kamba Pan African Theatre Festival, marking its third year with the theme Memory Against Forgetting. The festival seeks to engage audiences in conversations around historical memory and the consequences of choosing to forget or remember past events. Programming blends performance with debate, integrating Pan-African perspectives into discussions of critical contemporary issues. Among the highlights is Marikana Still…fontein, a multidisciplinary work reflecting on the Marikana massacre, and Skierlik, which recounts a tragic act of racial violence through storytelling. Other productions include The Dying Need No Shoes, examining buried family trauma, and A Season of Hillbrow, transforming Johannesburg’s Hillbrow district into a poetic and rebellious landscape. The festival also features film screenings, workshops, play readings, a book launch, and the Pavement Café. While documentary screenings and workshops are free, performance tickets are available through Webtickets. The Kaza Kamba festival offers a platform for diverse artistic expression, combining theatre, music, film, and political discourse. It invites participants to reconsider how societies navigate collective memory, particularly in the face of historical injustices. By featuring works that address sensitive topics such as racial violence and systemic oppression, the festival encourages critical engagement and awareness. Its programming includes both local and international voices, fostering cross-cultural dialogue. The inclusion of workshops and community spaces underscores the festival’s commitment to accessibility and education. As part of its broader mission, Kaza Kamba seeks to amplify underrepresented narratives and promote social change through the arts. In addition to these main attractions, the week also sees the release of Kwanda Mahlombe’s Ungayeki, which resonates with themes of perseverance and hope. The song’s title, translating to “don’t give up,” mirrors Mahlombe’s own journey of overcoming adversity and pursuing his artistic ambitions. His story reflects broader patterns of resilience among emerging South African musicians, many of whom began their careers in small towns before gaining national recognition. The success of Ungayeki further cements Mahlombe’s position within the evolving South African music scene, where authenticity and personal struggle often serve as powerful creative drivers. As the cultural calendar fills with opportunities for engagement, the coming days promise a rich tapestry of artistic and intellectual exchange. Whether through immersive theatre experiences, thought-provoking performances, or the emergence of new musical voices, the events highlight the ongoing vitality of South African creativity. These moments offer not just entertainment, but also a chance to reflect on shared histories, current struggles, and the potential for transformation.