The play is about four friends Obi, Jimmy, Palesa and Lillian who together grapple with issues of identity, school, distanced parents and their desire to see the completion of the street in which they live, Amandla street.

In their transition years, playing becomes an experience they need, but also feel detached from. A neighbourhood watchman presents a challenge that leaves them having to reach deep within to climb out of the confines placed by the society they exist in.

Developed at the 2015 African Youth Dance and Theatre festival at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town, the play then went into an intensive writer’s programme at the New Visions/New Voices festival in Washington DC in 2016. Both programmes were supported by and partnered with ASSITEJ South Africa.  

‘The Kids From Amandla Street’ launched the first Theatre for Young Audiences programme in Soweto theatre’s calendar. It is travelling to the Baxter theatre in Cape Town for ASSITEJ’s Cradle of Creativity (23^rd and 24^th of May), before doing a run a POPArt Theatre in Maboneng.

Audience Responses

Excellent work... beautifully (and simply) directed, wonderful script, and heartfelt energetic performances. Well done to all. More people deserve to see this!