Grahamstown local Thozi Ngeju has been writing and directing plays for the past 10 years. His Festival show, Kick-Ass Acquaintance, is inspired by his experience of broken homes and AIDS in the township.
“These are the issues that are close to my heart because I know many people who have experienced them,” said, who is currently a research assistant in the Rhodes Department of Computer Science.
Ngeju was born and bred in Grahamstown and matriculated from Nombulelo Secondary School in 1990. He then studied Drama in Cape Town before returning to Grahamstown.
Kick-Ass Acquaintance is inspired by a friend of Ngeju’s who struggled to make ends meet after relocating to Johannesburg. He made a friend and his life changed from that point on.
“These are township issues,” Ngeju said.
Ngeju writes and directs Thetha Group, the theatre troupe performing his piece, in his spare time as he works full time at Rhodes University.
Kick-Ass Acquaintance will be playing in the Library Hall at 1.30pm on 30 June, at 2pm on 1 July and at 2pm on 2 July.
By Chelsea Haith
Source: Grocott’s Mail