“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 because I believe stories should not only entertain but also disturb, heal, and make us feel less alone.
Q: What inspired you to write The Quiet, and why did you choose a one-woman format?
Simamkele Sodladla: The Quiet was born from my own personal struggles with depression, anxiety, and childhood trauma. I’ve always been seen as a happy, bubbly person, but inside I was carrying a lot of pain that no one could see. That contrast, smiling on the outside while breaking on the inside, became the heart of the story. I chose the one-woman format because I wanted the audience to sit inside one person’s mind. I wanted them to feel the loneliness, the fragmentation, and the internal battle that happens when someone suffers in silence. It’s an intimate and sometimes uncomfortable experience, but that’s exactly what I wanted.
Q: The play deals heavily with depression, trauma, and the pressure on women to remain silent. Why was it important for you to tell this story now?
Simamkele Sodladla: We are living in a time where so many people are struggling emotionally but still feel pressured to appear strong and “okay.” Especially women. We are often expected to endure pain quietly, to smile through it, and to never be “too much.” I wanted to show how dangerous that kind of silence can become. This play is very personal to me, and I believe it’s a story that needs to be told right now.
Q: The different versions of Asante the girl who smiles too loud, the lonely child, the angry woman are very powerful. What does this structure say about depression?
Simamkele Sodladla: Depression doesn’t always look the same. It wears many masks. The “Too Happy” version shows how we use smiles as armour. The “Inner Child” represents the abandoned parts of ourselves that never received love or healing. The “Angry” woman is the rage we’ve swallowed for years finally demanding to be heard. I wanted to show that a person can be fighting multiple emotional wars at once while still appearing fine to the world.
Q: What does the title The Quiet truly mean in this play?
Simamkele Sodladla: At first, quiet feels like peace. But in this story, quiet slowly becomes something darker it becomes suppression, isolation, and emotional starvation. The house feeds on Asante’s silence. The play asks: Can true peace ever exist without honesty? Or does silence, when chosen for too long, become a kind of slow death?
Q: Writing a one-hander comes with unique challenges. What difficulties did you face?
Simamkele Sodladla: The biggest challenge was keeping one character emotionally rich and dynamic enough to hold the audience for the entire show. Every shift in emotion, every silence, every moment of rage had to feel authentic. I also had to balance psychological realism with moments of horror. It was a delicate dance, but I’m proud of how it turned out.
Q: How was the experience of working with director Thamsanqa Simphiwe Khumalo?
Simamkele Sodladla: It has been wonderful. Thamsanqa has a beautiful balance of sensitivity and vision. He deeply understood the emotional layers of the story and handled the material with great care and respect. He trusts silence and atmosphere, which was very important for this piece. The collaboration has been both creative and healing.
Q: What do you hope audiences feel or understand after watching The Quiet?
Simamkele Sodladla: I hope they leave with greater compassion both for others and for themselves. I want them to realise that not all pain is loud. Sometimes the people who smile the brightest are carrying the heaviest burdens. I hope the play makes them feel seen and reminds them that it’s okay to speak.
Q: If someone strongly relates to Asante’s story, what would you say to them?
Simamkele Sodladla: I would tell them: You are not alone. Your pain is valid. You don’t have to carry it in silence anymore. Healing begins the moment you stop pretending everything is fine. Please reach out to a friend, a therapist, or someone who cares. You deserve to be heard.
Q: What does it mean for The Quiet to be performed at the National Arts Festival?
Simamkele Sodladla: It’s a huge honour. The National Arts Festival is one of the most important platforms in South Africa. I’m excited that this deeply personal story will reach a wider audience and spark important conversations about mental health, trauma, and emotional honesty.
Q: What’s next for you as a writer?
Simamkele Sodladla: I want to continue telling honest, emotionally rich stories across different genres. Whether it’s psychological drama or fun, relatable comedy, I want my work to both entertain and leave a lasting mark on people’s hearts.
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