In the heart of Tembisa lies TX Theatre, a place where poignant stories are brought to life. One of those stories is Broken Net During the final whistle. Directed by Abednigo Moruti Dhlamini and written by Linda Waka Shabangu and Abednigo Moruti Dhlamini. Broken net puts on the spotlight systematic failures that perpetuate injustices in South Africa. Showing how a life can be taken, and no one will be held responsible. The police hiding behind their favourite “there is no evidence” line.
Broken Net doesn’t just end by bringing forward the main theme, which is the theme of injustice, but it pays homage to a young man with a promising future. Whose life was taken by the bullet and the country moved on as though nothing happened.
The powerful performance from the cast paired together with the amazing soundtrack took the audience through a rollercoaster of emotions. At one time the atmosphere was filled with melancholy and sadness as the young man whose bright future was dimmed so early is remembered. The audience deeply felt the void he left behind. But in an instant, the atmosphere was filled with jubilation. As the young man’s prowess on the soccer pitch is remembered. How his presence on the soccer pitches awakened roars from the audience as disk chants or what is now known as igwijo filled the stadium and his eyes were on the ball, making sure it didn’t hit the net.
The audience drawn to the pulsating rhythm of the chants joined and suddenly the theatre room was a soccer pitch, the goal posts and soccer balls on the set adding to that soccer feel and the feeling was instantly replaced by sadness, the chants are gone, he is gone, and justice is still not served. This play is a must-see for anyone who loves authentic South African stories. Do visit TX from the 21st to the 3rd of March for the Tembisa Theatre week to see more plays in the heart of Tembisa.