Kaya 959 Reporter
Point of view with Phemelo Motene had an insightful conversation with the King of Theater James Ngcobo.
He has worked as an actor, producer, and director in theatre, television, and film.
In 2013, he was appointed as the Market Theatre Foundation’s first black creative director, where he had previously served as associate artistic director from 2006 to 2007 while collaborating with Malcolm Purkey.
Also Read: Gigi Lamayne is joining SA’s animation series ‘Kizazi Moto Generation Fire’
He shared his journey in the arts over the years.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE:
On the transformation of The Market Theatre
“I started travelling around the country when I started as the Artistic Director at the Market Theatre… for me wherever I went I was looking for content, I was looking for the new excitement to put on at the market and we brought Black History Month. I said to myself we can’t keep making theatre in English as if we are somewhere else.” says Ngcobo
On empowering women in theatre
Ngcobo spoke about how his upbringing has given him a different perspective when in comes to opening up the theatre space for women.
“One of the biggest gifts I have in life is that I am a guy who grew up in a household with 6 sisters and my interaction with all the women I have met in my life is that this is how I would like my sister to be treated and that what has always been what has guided me.” says Ngcobo
Ngcobo is leaving the Market Theatre after almost ten years to become the newly appointed artistic director of the Joburg Theatres (JCT).
Ngcobo will be in charge of creating and carrying out an artistic vision for JCT’s ten spaces, including the recently renovated Jabulani Amphitheatre, at the Joburg Theatre, Roodepoort Theatre, and Soweto Theatre. He will take on his new role as the artistic director of the Joburg Theatres from July 1.
READ NEXT: Samthing Soweto releases ‘Amagents’, a song for his daughter
