Preparations are well underway in countries throughout Southern African for one of the major environmental and cultural events of this millennium year – ‘A Light in the Night of President Khaya Afrikha’. ‘Khaya Afrikha’ is set to hit the regional cultural and political stage in an explosion of song, dance and traditional story telling. It’s different and it aims to make a difference! A difference that will be seen, heard and felt in the seven southern African countries that this production will be touring from October to December 2000.

”Khaya Afrikha’ is performed by one of the most powerful companies of African actors ever assembled in the Southern African region, Report Back Africa, appearing under the patronage of Ms Graca Machel. The company consists of 17 award-winning actors from seven countries and is directed by internationally acclaimed South African playwright, Nicholas Ellenbogen, of Theatre for Africa.

Report Back Africa is the result of a unique joint initiative – the Community Outreach Programme – of regional development NGO Africa Resources Trust, Cape Town based theatrical company Theatre for Africa, and some 20 other internationally recognised NGOs. It is the culmination of two years of painstaking research and consultations by this dynamic group of young actors with thousands of rural villagers throughout the most remote areas of the sub-continent.

‘Khaya Afrikha’ is research results you won’t forget in a hurry. It is sure to make you laugh and cry, celebrate our African heritage and look forward to the future. It is a voice for those who usually do not get heard. A voice that is amplified in each country with the support of national celebrities, such as musician Oliver Mtukudzi in Zimbabwe, and other political and entertainment personalities.

The play examines the harsh choices facing African leadership in the year 2000. Set during a Renaissance Ball and a meeting to plead for debt relief, we follow the ups and downs of President Khaya Afrikha as he tries to find a balance between the wisdom and traditions of the past and the demands and pace of the future. It is a light-hearted and entertaining exploration of the serious issues of resource use and conservation facing the African people today.

Performances in Zambia will be held on 25th October in Mfuwe and on 27^th and 28^th October in Lusaka (See ‘Wots Happening‘).