The iconic District Six

The National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) under its Premier Project is staging 'District Six' a musical by one of South Africa's best known theatre personalities David Kramer and the late Taliep Petersen.
June Shimuoshili
'District Six' is a perfect celebration of the people who lived in District Six and their music; it is vibrant and filled with song, dance, lots of laughter amazing costumes and at the same time provides the audience with evocative glimpses into a vanished world. With a star-studded Namibian cast, District Six promises to not only entertain you, but to also leave you feeling all kinds of emotions. This is a show for the whole family not to be missed.



The history

District Six in the 1960s was a place where all kinds of people lived. A place where different religions were practised, rich in its diversity and rich in its 19th century architecture. A place where music was important and culture and tradition were revered. That it was impoverished and dilapidated, that there was crime and overcrowding, cannot be denied. But what is important, is that it was a place where people had a sense of themselves as a community.

In 1966 the District was declared a white group area by the apartheid government and people who were not white were forced to leave their homes. Shortly afterwards the bulldozing and destruction began and continued for 13 years until the area was razed. Only a few churches and mosques remain.



The play

The play marks the 50-year anniversary of forced removals from District Six. A moment in history that cannot be forgotten, the production honours the bustling creative suburb that was home to many Capetonians. David Kramer pays homage to the memories shared by legends like the late Taliep Petersen, Al Hendricks and Zayn Valentine and many others. This production sees plenty of local performers strut their stuff while revisiting the early 1960s. The musical stars Adriano Visagie as Cassiem, Patrick Sam as Nines, Severiano Willemse, Gift Uzera and Jeanne Januarie as Sexy Boys, Romulus Pieterse as Henry, Johne Louw as Hester, Bianca Heyns as Galiema, David Ndjavera as Damaka, Steven Afrikaner as Sophia, Jesaya Namalemo as Archie, Heather Dennis (Miss H) as Broertjie, Roya Diehl as Sandy, Mervin Claasen as Pang, Danielle Gilbert as Mary, Chantelle Uiras, Peo Baitsile and Michelle Namases as Delphonics, Anathi Hans as Barber, Terrence Husselmann as Policeman, Don Stevenson as Goldman and Charl Botha as Vosloo and plenty of other amazing actors who are more than ready to bring the heat to the stage.

If you love supporting local musicians or seeing them in action prepare to be blown away. The musical will be on stage from 3 and 4 of March 2017 at 20:00 directed by veteran Namibian director, Tanya Terblanche. Tickets for the play are available at all Computicket outlets, including the NTN Box Office. Tickets are N$100 for adults, N$50 for senior citizens and students and children.

Staff Reporter

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-30

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