Matsemela manaka biography of michael
Matsemela Manaka
South African playwright, poet, and artist (–)
Matsemela Manaka (–) was a South African playwright, poet, and artist.[1] He began his career in the mids and was influenced by the ideas of the Black Consciousness Movement.[2] Among his plays, the most distinguished are Egoli: City of Gold and Children of Asazi. He won the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award in [1]
Early life and education
Manaka was born on 20 June , in Alexandra township.[3] He attended primary and secondary school in Diepkloof, and spent the majority of his life in Soweto.[3] He then attended Ithumeng Commercial College studying commerce part-time.
Manaka desired to attend a university, but the recently introduced requirement for Afrikaans, which wasn't offered at Ithumeng, was prohibitive. He then enrolled at Matibane High School in , which did offer the language, but his attempt was voided, ironically, by the Soweto uprising that came as a response to the legislation demanding Afrikaans.[3]
Career
Manaka worked as a teacher and,[1] already an admirer of the plays of Gibson Kente,[4] developed an interest in theatre after witnessing his students participate in the Soweto uprising.[1] He founded the Soyikwa African Theatre group in , with students from the Creative Youth Association who had gotten together after the uprising.[4] His work was often chosen through suggestion by students and staff.[4] Soyikwa's first production was The Horn, followed by Imbumba, and then Egoli, the latter of which became a success when it was performed in the city.[4] The group performed political satire drawing from both European and African traditions; themes included Pan-African and Black Consciousness as well as the realities of South African politics--apartheid, the continuing destruction of social life in townships, and widespread poverty in rural areas.[1] Manaka's plays were a success in Europe as well.[5]
He was awarded the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award in With the award he funded a workshop for young playwrights in Soweto.[1] Manaka participated in multiple initiatives such as The Creative Youth Association, Ravan Press, Staffrider. Matsemela Manaka died in a car accident in [3]
Plays
- The Horn
- Imbumba
- Egoli: City of Gold ()
- Blues Afrika Cafe ()
- Vuka ()
- Mbumba ()
- Children of Asazi ()
- Goree (musical),