Kessie Govender
Encyclopedia
Kessie Govender was a pioneering voice in South Africa
n protest theatre, a playwright, actor and theatre director, who founded the Stable Theatre, a Durban-based theatre company in 1970 and is most known for his play, Working Class Hero (1979) and The Shack (1979).
, KwaZulu-Natal
, his grandfather came to South Africa as an Tamil
indentured laborer. His father was a bricklayer, upon leaving school; Kessie also took up this trade.
Kessie’s introduction to creative arts happened as a young saivite devotee, who participated in local religious tableaus under Guru Subramanian Swamigal the founder of the Saiva Sithanda Sungum in Derby Street Durban.
, and Muthal Naidoo in the start up of the Shah Theatre Academy where his natural talent as an actor saw him take centre stage in many lead roles.
Kessie started writing plays in the 1970s. Over his 30 year career, he wrote, produced, directed and acted in around 15 of his own stage productions, Stable Expense, and Working Class Hero, being two of his most well known pieces. In addition to plays, he also penned many poems, most of which were directed against the racist socio-political culture of apartheid South Africa.
In the mid 1970s Kessie Govender started his own company, the Stable Theatre, the first independent, black-owned theatre in South Africa. Its first location was on Queen Street, then West Street and it is currently located on Alice Street, in the Durban city centre. Being a builder, Kessie, who was often joined by his brother Shan, renovated the theatre spaces with his own hands, with materials he bought cheaply or managed to scrounge from other worksites. Because the Stable catered to a black audience, and because many of the plays performed at the Stable poked fun at or openly criticized the apartheid system, it was virtually impossible for him to find supporting funds. Ticket sales too were slow in part because those who could not afford to pay were allowed in free. Despite this Kessie’s shows, like Working Class Hero, attracted mixed audiences from affluent and working classes as they both were entertained by sharp dialogue and witty plots that poked fun at their attitudes towards the white minority, each other and the marginalised black majority.
Since its founding, The Stable has been an oasis of cultural diversity and resistance during the Apartheid era. It has helped launch the careers of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Joseph Shabalala
and playwright Mbongeni Ngema
, made famous by his musical Sarafina. Even today, actors, musicians, writers and other members of the performing arts have based themselves there honing their work for local productions and presentations overseas.
In addition to his theatrical pursuits Kessie Govender played a pivotal role in the transformation of his society through various progressive organisations. Among others, he was a founding member of the Natal Cultural Congress, the Chairperson of the Theatre Alliance of Natal, and Executive member of both the Music Alliance of Natal and the Congress of South African Writers.
First produced in 1977, Working Class Hero enjoyed a revival in 2001 at Durban's Natal Playhouse to coincide with the world conference against racism. For this conference, a special edition was published by Stable Creative Arts.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n protest theatre, a playwright, actor and theatre director, who founded the Stable Theatre, a Durban-based theatre company in 1970 and is most known for his play, Working Class Hero (1979) and The Shack (1979).
Early life
Born in DurbanDurban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
, his grandfather came to South Africa as an Tamil
Tamil people
Tamil people , also called Tamils or Tamilians, are an ethnic group native to Tamil Nadu, India and the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka. Historic and post 15th century emigrant communities are also found across the world, notably Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa, Australia, Canada,...
indentured laborer. His father was a bricklayer, upon leaving school; Kessie also took up this trade.
Kessie’s introduction to creative arts happened as a young saivite devotee, who participated in local religious tableaus under Guru Subramanian Swamigal the founder of the Saiva Sithanda Sungum in Derby Street Durban.
Career
Later he joined his cousin Ronnie GovenderRonnie Govender
Ronnie Govender is a South African playwright of Tamil descent. His book, At the Edge and other Cato Manor Stories, won the 1997 Commonwealth Writers' Prize, best first book, Africa....
, and Muthal Naidoo in the start up of the Shah Theatre Academy where his natural talent as an actor saw him take centre stage in many lead roles.
Kessie started writing plays in the 1970s. Over his 30 year career, he wrote, produced, directed and acted in around 15 of his own stage productions, Stable Expense, and Working Class Hero, being two of his most well known pieces. In addition to plays, he also penned many poems, most of which were directed against the racist socio-political culture of apartheid South Africa.
In the mid 1970s Kessie Govender started his own company, the Stable Theatre, the first independent, black-owned theatre in South Africa. Its first location was on Queen Street, then West Street and it is currently located on Alice Street, in the Durban city centre. Being a builder, Kessie, who was often joined by his brother Shan, renovated the theatre spaces with his own hands, with materials he bought cheaply or managed to scrounge from other worksites. Because the Stable catered to a black audience, and because many of the plays performed at the Stable poked fun at or openly criticized the apartheid system, it was virtually impossible for him to find supporting funds. Ticket sales too were slow in part because those who could not afford to pay were allowed in free. Despite this Kessie’s shows, like Working Class Hero, attracted mixed audiences from affluent and working classes as they both were entertained by sharp dialogue and witty plots that poked fun at their attitudes towards the white minority, each other and the marginalised black majority.
Since its founding, The Stable has been an oasis of cultural diversity and resistance during the Apartheid era. It has helped launch the careers of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s Joseph Shabalala
Joseph Shabalala
Joseph Shabalala , born Bhekizizwe Joseph Siphatimandla Mxoveni Mshengu Bigboy Shabalala, is the founder and musical director of the South African choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.-Early life and career:...
and playwright Mbongeni Ngema
Mbongeni Ngema
Mbongeni Ngema a South African writer, lyricist, composer and director was born in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal . He started his career as a theatre backing guitarist.He is married to actress Leleti Khumalo...
, made famous by his musical Sarafina. Even today, actors, musicians, writers and other members of the performing arts have based themselves there honing their work for local productions and presentations overseas.
In addition to his theatrical pursuits Kessie Govender played a pivotal role in the transformation of his society through various progressive organisations. Among others, he was a founding member of the Natal Cultural Congress, the Chairperson of the Theatre Alliance of Natal, and Executive member of both the Music Alliance of Natal and the Congress of South African Writers.
First produced in 1977, Working Class Hero enjoyed a revival in 2001 at Durban's Natal Playhouse to coincide with the world conference against racism. For this conference, a special edition was published by Stable Creative Arts.
Other plays (produced)
- Stable Expense, 1974
- Tramp –you, Tramp – me, 1975
- Ravanan, 1975
- Working Class Hero, 1976
- The Decision, 1977
- The Shack, 1978
- Ka-goos, 1979
- On the Fence, 1981
- Black Skies, 1984
- Underground, 1988
- Stablexpense, 1991
- I.O.D (Injured On Duty)
- God Made Mosquitoes Too, 1994
- Alternative Action, 1995/6
- Herstory, 1996
Career accolades
- 1994, Made Honourary Citizen of Louisville, Kentucky (USA) - Invited to recite own poem at the Inauguration of President Nelson Mandela
- 1989, Awarded the AA Vita Award, for his Lifelong Contribution to the Arts
- 1978, Awarded the Natal Critics Circle Award
- 1968, Awarded the National Drama Foundation: Best Director and Best Actor Award