Theatre-Space

  “Silence Can Be Hungry” Simamkele Sodladla on Writing The Quiet By THEATRE-SPACE In a theatre landscape often filled with noise, Simamkele Sodladla has crafted a story that dares to explore the terrifying power of silence. Her play The Quiet, a haunting one-woman psychological drama, is one of the most anticipated new works at this year’s National Arts Festival. In this intimate and revealing interview, the talented South African writer opens up about the deeply personal roots of the play, the courage it took to write it, and why she believes it’s time we started listening to the voices we’ve been taught to silence. Q: Who is Simamkele Sodladla? Simamkele Sodladla: My name is Simamkele Sodladla, and I am a South African writer and storyteller with a deep love for exploring the many sides of human experience. My work moves between psychologically intense dramas like The Quiet and lively, socially relatable comedies such as Streetwise 2. I enjoy challenging myself across genres bec...

  By THEATRE-SPACE  At only 23 years old, Nolwazi Asanda Khanyile from Ulundi is already making a powerful impression on the South African theatre scene. Selected to play the demanding lead role of Asante in The Quiet, a haunting one-woman psychological theatre production, Nolwazi is stepping into the spotlight with vulnerability, strength, and remarkable emotional depth. In this heartfelt interview, the young dancer-actress opens up about her journey, her fears, her growth, and the transformative experience of working on her first major one-woman show. Q: Tell us about yourself and how your theatre journey started. Nolwazi Khanyile: My name is Nolwazi Asanda Khanyile. I am 23 years old and I come from Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal. I officially started my theatre journey last year[2025] the Artistic School Collection of Actors (ASCA). I am a dancer and actress. Movement has always been my first language, I express myself better through my body than with words. Before this, I  ...

 Thamsanqa Simphiwe Khumalo Returns to NAF 2026 with Haunting New One-Woman Show “The Quiet” MAKHANDA – After sitting out last year’s National Arts Festival, acclaimed theatre-maker Thamsanqa Simphiwe Khumalo returns to Makhanda with The Quiet, a deeply moving and psychologically intense one-woman production that explores the silent battles of trauma, depression, and the heavy cost of unspoken pain. Written by Simamkele Sodladla and rewritten and directed by Khumalo, the show features rising star Nolwazi Khanyile in the lead role of Asante, a woman quietly unravelling under the weight of trauma and depression. This production marks a significant homecoming for Khumalo, as he collaborates for the first time with young talent from Ulundi, Zululand. Nothando Cebekhulu serves as stage manager, with mentorship from veteran theatre practitioner Bongani Mbatha. The Quiet follows Asante, who seeks refuge in an old, isolated house, hoping the silence will finally bring her peace. Instead, ...