In February, from the 18th to the 21st, at the Palm and Golding Theatre located within the main venue of the existing Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town, the internationally and nationally acclaimed Gregory Maqoma’s Genesis: The Beginning and End of Time will be staged.
It will also make its way to the renowned Joburg Theatre in the City of Gold from 19 to 22 March.
This production offers a profound and allegorical exploration of the colonial history’s half-life, the enduring pursuit of liberation, and the internal and external struggles that individuals encounter along their journey.
Follow Affirmations Media on FACEBOOK.
Drawing inspiration from the groundbreaking concepts of Aimé Césaire, Frantz Fanon, Steve Biko, and the poetic resilience of migrant communities worldwide, Maqoma and his team tackle the specters of colonial legacies and their contribution to ongoing injustices. The dreadful, pallid centuries of what Steve Biko referred to as the “paper castles” of colonial subjugation, the rise of racial segregation and hierarchies, and the relentless industrial capitalist machine that obliterated entire kingdoms and populations. A murky, seemingly immovable era for hundreds of millions across various latitudes, particularly on the African continent. Yet, this period is also characterised by the emergence of resistance, exemplified by Aimé Césaire’s “tidal wave of colour” that sought to confront the assault of empire and its countless instruments: pseudo-science, distorted historical narratives, and institutionalised religion.
GENESIS embraces a hybrid format known as dance opera, where movement, live music, and text intricately blend into a profoundly theatrical and poetic narrative. The story unfolds in a parallel timeline, rich with biblical imagery, regional myths, and contemporary history.
Accompanied by live music, song, and spoken word, the piece vibrates with rhythms deeply rooted in South African traditions while also addressing global traumas: slavery, colonialism, state-sanctioned violence, displacement, and silence. GENESIS probes the question of how history tends to repeat itself, how the enduring shadows of the past influence our present and future, and how memory plays a crucial role in fostering resistance.
Through this dynamic, multidisciplinary performance, Maqoma transforms the stage into a realm of mourning, awakening, defiance, and hope. The body serves as an archive, a form of protest, a prayer, oscillating between destruction and renewal. This is more than a performance: it is a reclamation of voice, of occupied space, and of time that has been taken.
Awards & Accolades
1993: Dance Umbrella Pick of Stepping Stones1993: Choreography Award for
Where, Here and There
1994: Dance Umbrella Fringe Choreography Award for Heaven and Earth
1997: Phillip Stein Young Choreographers Grant
1988: 1 Year Full Scholarship to study at Performing Arts Research and Training
Studios (PARTS) in Belgium by the Flemish Ministry
1999: FNB VITA Choreographer of the Year for Rhythm 1.2.3
2000: FNB VITA Most Outstanding Presentation of an Original Contemporary Work
for Rhythm Blues
2001: FNB VITA Best Choreography for Southern Comfort
2002: FNB Vita Choreographer of The Year for Southern Comfort and
Ek se…Hola
2002: Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Dance
2004: Finalist – Daimler Chrysler Choreography Competition
2004: Rolex Mentor & Protégé Finalist
2005: Gauteng MEC Award – Choreographer of the Year for Beautiful Us
2007: Gauteng MEC Award – Best Choreography in a Contemporary Style for
Beautiful Me
2007: Gauteng MEC Award –Most Outstanding Presentation of a New Work for
Beautiful Me
2011: Dance Manyano Best Choreographer of the Decade Award.
2012: A Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award for the work MAYHEM
2012: Tunki Award for Leadership in Dance
2014: New York City Bessie Award for Dance – Outstanding Music Composition in a
dance production Exit/Exist
2017: Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Arts & Literature)
Award
2019: Holland Festival Audience Choice Award for Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s Bolero
2020: Naledi Theatre Awards – Best Dance Production for Cion: Requiem of Ravel’s
Bolero
2020: International Dance Day Author
2021: New York City Bessie Awards for Dance – Outstanding Production and
Outstanding Music Composition for Cion: Requiem Of Ravels Bolero
2022: Joburg Theatres Diamond Walk of Fame
2022:The Simon Nkoli Feather Award (LGBTQ Humanitarian award)
2023: The Artfluence Human Rights Championin recognition of his remarkable
career, courage, and commitment to social justice.
2023: Business and arts south Africa featured artist.
2024: Olivia award Nominee Best Dance Production.
2024: Encore Award at the Fleur Du Cap Theater Award for Exit/Exist
2024: Creative and Cultural awards Outstanding Dance Production Award
18 Feb – 21 Feb
The Pam Golding Theatre
Price: R200 – R250
Time: 19:30
Saturday Matinee: 15:00
Duration: 70mins (No Interval)
Age Restriction: No Under 6s
Featuring: Live Music
Credits
Director and Choreographer – Gregory Maqoma
Librettist – Karthika Nair
Movement Analyst – Shanell Winlock Pailman
Musical Director – Nhlanhla Mahlangu
Lighting Designer – Oliver Hauser
Set Designer – Willy Cessa
Costume designer – Blackcoffee
Props and Stage Manager – Katleho Lekhula
Producer
Gregory Maqoma Industries (GMI)
Kgopolo Kgomo
Co-Producer
Baxter Theatre (Centre at The University of Cape Town)
The Factory: Manchester
Theatre De La Ville
Joburg Theatre
With support from
Vuyani Dance Theatre
National Arts Council: South Africa
Kunstfest – Weimar 2025
Music Performance
Anelisa Phewa
Anelisa “Annalyzer” Stuurman
Bongiwe “Mthwakazi” Lusizi
Xolisile Bongwana
Yogin Sullaphen
Dance Performance
Gilbert Goliath
Monicca Magoro
Nathan Botha
Noko Moeketsi
Roseline Wilkens
Thabang Mdlalose
Tshepo Molusi
Duration:
70 Minutes
Age Restriction:
7 years +
Presenting Partners
Soft Premier: KunstFest – Weimar
30th August and 31st August 2025
Premier: Baxter Theatre – Cape
Town 18th to 22nd February 2026
Joburg Theatre 19 to 22 March 2026