Woodstock performer Tankiso Mamabolo will be celebrating women in her show Tankiso Live: The Audacity to Be, which kicks off Women’s Month at the Baxter Theatre.
“Tankiso Live is about that side of me that doesn’t normally get seen in theatre where I normally play other characters. It is the most honest depiction of myself, my thoughts and how I feel navigating the current world, and how I fit into all of that as a black woman,” says Mamabolo of her solo show.
Mamabolo graduated from UCT’s drama school in 2015 and has performed in the award-winning The Fall, which she co-wrote with fellow students in 2015, and John Kani’s Nothing But the Truth in 2016. Last December, she played the role of Lydia in Aunty Merle, The Musical.
This latest musical project is the culmination of four to five years of song-writing and a continuation of the debut
Tankiso Live showed at the Baxter in May last year, which featured original music by Mamabolo.
“I am a black 26-year-old woman living in South Africa, with the history that we have with current issues like femicide, the rape and kidnapping of women. All of those things were important to highlight in a month that is supposed to celebrate women. Instead, we end up mourning because we realise we have a long way to go.”
Mamabolo will be backed up by a band, Sweet Chilli, and two back-up singers, Sizwesandile Minisi and Nosmilo Gusha.
While the show is a celebration of women, Mamabolo says men are welcome to share in the “female space”.
“It is a learning space, it is my space and women space. We are willing to share the space as long as you walk in understanding that this is a space celebrating women.”
August is going to be busy for Mamabolo as she is also planning to release a musical album, which is still untitled.
“I spent the past few months recording my album, writing new songs for my album and even recorded a House song with DJ Si_ Jones from Johannesburg.”
Tankiso Live: The Audacity to Be is on at the Golden Arrow Studio at the Baxter Theatre from Tuesday August 6 until Saturday August 17, at 8.30pm. Tickets can be booked at www.webtickets.co.za
