From the Cross to the Crown: A Night of Sacred Power at Joburg Theatre Tonight at 19h30, the stage of Joburg Theatre becomes more than a performance space—it transforms into a sanctuary of sound, spirit, and storytelling as From the Cross to the Crown takes centre stage. At a time when both South Africa and the world are navigating deep uncertainty, social strain, and emotional fatigue, this production arrives with profound relevance. It asks a timeless question: in moments of collective grief, who carries the sound of mourning, healing, and hope? The answer echoes powerfully— the soprano. The Sound of Wailing, The Voice of Healing In many traditions, the role of “wailing women” has always been sacred—those who give voice to sorrow when words fail. In this production, that ancient calling is reimagined through the extraordinary artistry of South Africa’s leading sopranos. Who is more skilled at carrying lament, lifting prayer, and transforming pain into beauty than a soprano? Through ...

A Sector in Suspended Animation: Mounting Concerns Over NFVF’s PESP6 Delays The announcement by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) confirming further delays in the release of outcomes for the Sixth Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP6) has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s already fragile audio-visual sector. What was initially framed as a strategic intervention to stimulate employment and unlock industry potential is now becoming a symbol of uncertainty, frustration, and growing mistrust. At the heart of the issue lies a simple but pressing question: what is really going on within the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and its funding entities? Promises Made, Deadlines Shifted During nationwide roadshows in October 2025, the NFVF confidently communicated that PESP6 funding outcomes would be released by July 2026 . This timeline shaped planning cycles, production schedules, and financial expectations for hundreds—if not thousands—of practitioners across ...

  A Brutal Interrogation of Lies, Contradictions, and a Council in Crisis By Thami akaMbongo Manzana The latest media statement issued by the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC), titled “NAC Confirms Continued Operational Delivery Amid Union Picket,” is not just misleading. It is a calculated attempt to mask a crisis. And when placed alongside a damning letter from the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture — now circulating among artists — the situation becomes even more alarming. Because what is being presented as “stability” may, in fact, be institutional dysfunction dressed up as control . 1. WHO IS ON STRIKE — NEHAWU OR NAC WORKERS? The NAC repeatedly refers to National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) as if it is an external force. But let us be precise: Is it NEHAWU that is on strike? Or is it NAC employees who are members of NEHAWU ? Why is the NAC distancing itself from its own workers? This is not accidental....