Student Play Tackles Hate Crimes

Student Play Tackles Hate Crimes

The contemporary issue of hate crimes is the focus of the play Chapter 2, section 9 devised and directed by Ms Phyllis Klotz and Ms Smal Ndaba and recently performed by UKZN Drama students at the Sneddon Theatre.

The title refers to the section of South Africa’s constitution that guarantees the right to gender equality and sexual orientation. Based on the testimony of more than 40 lesbian women, their families, lawyers, and the police, the play addresses issues such as race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnicity, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth. It speaks to one of the most insidious hate crimes in South Africa and was described as ‘brilliant, electrifying, and a production that every South African who cares about the freedoms enshrined in our constitution should see,’ by Mike Loewe of The Critter.

The performers included Ms Amanda Zuma, Ms Aphelele Zwane, Ms Angelique Ramjathan, Ms Enoluthando Ngubane, Ms Nolwazi Makena and Ms Thando Sithole.

Makena highlighted that lesbianism is not a one-sided issue as it affects many people and causes violence. Sithole, who played the part of a gang rape survivor who had to put her daughter up for adoption, commented that she found her role challenging due to the harrowing testimony on which it is based.

Ramjathan described the play as a powerful piece of work that pays homage to the numerous lesbian women who have been the victims of hate crimes.

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photograph: Supplied