Sizwe
Bansi is dead is a short play by Athol Fugard that depicts the indigents lives
of the blacks during the golden days of apartheid regime in South Africa. The
story begins with Styles reading a Newspaper in his Photoshop while also
recounting his ordeal of having to work at Ford Motors, his former employer and
how he eventually had to quit in other to become an established photographer
whose shop happens to be next to a funeral parlour.
Styles
further recounts the dignity of his profession, giving details narration of how
he helps bring to life the dreams and pride of his folks, which the apartheid
regime had successfully striped off. His monologue was eventually cut short by
the intrusion of Roberts, who had come to take a photograph, which he intends
to add to a letter that is to be sent to his wife back home. Following a series
of events that is majorly characterised by a mastery use of flashback, the
author then reveals that Robert’s true name is Sizwe Banzi but he had taken the
identity of another man (The real Roberts) in other for him (Sizwe) to be able
to live and work in the city. It’s a very short but interesting book with just
about 44 pages.
What
I find to be most interesting about this book is how Fugard was able to tell a
beautiful story with very few words. In addition, his proficient use of
flashback and symbolism is admirable, as he was able to effectively criticize
the apartheid regime without necessarily pointing direct fingers or raising any
government eyebrow. Lastly, the play also employs humour as a useful tool to
get its message across. Sizwe Bansi is Dead remains one of the most artistic depiction
of apartheid South Africa till today.
Review
written by OLA OGUN
