Skip to main content

A Deeply Moving Must-See: My Review of Echoes of a Verdict at the National Arts Festival

By Theatre-Space 

I don’t usually get emotional or cry at shows, but yesterday’s performance of Echoes of a Verdict completely got the better of me. 

In a world where so many men run away from their fatherly duties, here is a story about a man who desperately wants nothing more than to be with his daughter. After the mother of his child falsely accuses him of a crime he never committed, he loses 11 years of his life to prison. The law believed her, a painful reminder of how easily lives can be destroyed by accusations. Yet through it all, the unbreakable love between this father and his daughter is what touched me the most.

I was honoured to watch the show twice. Written and directed by Bongani Mbatha, Echoes of a Verdict doesn’t just tell a powerful story, it forces you to reflect on the decisions we make that can build or completely break us. The protagonist’s biggest “mistake” was falling in love with the wrong person a “monster” who stole his freedom, his daughter’s childhood, his mother’s funeral, and even saw his home burned down. The pain and injustice hit hard, but so does the resilience.

Beyond the story, the direction, presentation, and creative choices are outstanding. The blend of drama, music, poetry, and movement in English and isiZulu brings everything to life in a way that feels raw, real, and deeply South African.

Today, Sunday 28 June 2026 at 12:00, is the final performance at the Victoria Theatre during the National Arts Festival in Makhanda. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend you come through you don’t want to miss this one. It’s more than just theatre; it’s a mirror to our society and a reminder of the power of truth, love, and second chances.

Big respect to Bongani Mbatha, Bhekani Shabalala. Zama Mngadi and the entire cast:

Wandile Nodliwa, Nomthandazo Nkosi, Menzi Ngidi, Alwande Mthembu, Lindokuhle Mbambo, Nhlanhla Zondi.

Thank you for this powerful piece. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rising Star Nolwazi Khanyile on Bringing Silent Pain to Life in The Quiet

  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  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

"Silence Can Be Hungry” Simamkele Sodladla on Writing The Quiet

  “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...
Post a Comment
Read more