Tseleng billed for Maitisong Fest
Mpho Tlale | Wednesday April 9, 2014 11:03
Since its premiere in 2009 the play has been performed in South Africa and Stockholm. The play, directed by Sara Matchett, got a Standard Bank ovation award in 2010.
Mbali said that like the name suggests Tseleng is a tale of her own life’s journey.
“Tseleng is what it is. However, it has now transformed from a package to something more beautiful,” she said.
She expressed that the original storyline of the play is based on a one-woman show, told through the eyes of four different characters through the various stages of growth.
The characters include a little girl growing up in Gaborone, a rebellious teenager growing up in Pretoria and Johannesburg, a young woman in the heart of London trying to prove herself and a woman who struggles with her identity while based in Cape Town.
All these characters are based on Mbali’s own life experience. She is quick to admit that she has always been on the move from a young age.
She said that there was a time when she felt she literally lived on the road and out of her bags, as she never got a chance to settle down and be in one place. Despite the love and attachment she has for Tseleng, the playwright explained that she feels it is time she lets it go to share it with other people.
”As people we get attached to certain things in our lives and Tseleng has been that in mine. However, I feel that it is time I let it to continue my journey.
It is time to move away from it,” she said. Mbali shared that this time she is taking the backseat and engaging other actors including Lerato Motshwarakgole and Mpho Kgosana to do the acting.
Maitisong Festival will take place from April 24 to 27.