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After captivating audiences at the National Arts Festival, The Cry of Winnie Mandela heads to the Market Theatre’s John Kani Theatre from 8 to 12 July 2026 for a strictly limited run of just six performances.
Bringing Njabulo Ndebele’s celebrated novel to the stage, the production is directed by Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre winner MoMo Matsunyane and adapted by Alex Burger.
The return forms part of the Market Theatre’s 50th anniversary programme, which celebrates South African theatre by revisiting landmark productions and showcasing some of the country’s leading theatre-makers.
The story centres on four women whose lives are bound together by the long wait for the men they love to return home.
As each woman shares her story, the themes of love, absence, sacrifice, and resilience emerge, gradually intertwining with the legacy of Winnie Mandela.
At its heart, the play explores the emotional cost of waiting and the quiet resilience it demands, using personal stories to connect with South African histories and experiences.
Rather than telling a traditional biographical story, The Cry of Winnie Mandela uses her as a powerful symbol to illuminate the unseen sacrifices of women left waiting.
Through evocative storytelling, music, and compelling performances, the production invites audiences to reflect on memory, identity, and the lasting effects of those whose lives were shaped by political struggle and personal loss.
Director MoMo Matsunyane described Winnie Mandela as “a powerful, multi-layered figure” whose legacy still speaks to audiences across generations.
The production’s emotional depth, compelling performances, and thoughtful adaptation have helped establish it as one of South Africa’s most acclaimed stage works, making it a standout on Johannesburg’s theatre calendar this July.
With only six performances scheduled, this return season offers audiences another opportunity to experience one of South Africa’s celebrated stories brought to life on stage.
The details
- Where: Market Theatre, John Kani Theatre
- When: 8 - 12 July 2026
- Tickets: R120 - R220 via Webtickets
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