This document summarizes the history of theater in South Africa under apartheid. It describes how black African languages and performances were oppressed and banned, and audiences were segregated by race. The national government controlled broadcasting and censorship, allowing only "safe" plays that did not challenge apartheid policies. Indigenous performance was ignored before 1948, and the National Party that came to power that year began implementing apartheid laws that disempowered black South Africans and encouraged Afrikaans language and theater. The full impact of these policies was felt in the 1970s, and theater began to change after Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990 marked the beginning of the end of apartheid.

2. • White English and Afrikaans was
encouraged to grow.
• Black English and vernacular
performance was oppressed, censored
and banned totally.

3. • Racially mixed audiences were
allowed in theatre. Blacks had to be
separated.

4. • Racial integration in the audience was
no longer permitted.
• Racially mixed performers were no
longer allowed to perform together.
• With curfews and implementation of
the Pass Laws Black people were
effectively denied access to theatre.

5. • The government controlled television
and radio broadcasting, control of
newspapers and theatres.
• The state was uncomfortable with
plays that challenged its policies.
• theatres that wanted to survive had to
stage “safe” plays or plays of the
Western origin.

6. • Pre (before) 1948
An era where indigenous performance was ignored and English
speaking South Africans saw Europe as the standard style of
performance to aspire to.
• 1948-1960
National Party came to power in 1948 and began the legal
system of apartheid.
It encouraged the growth of the Afrikaans language and thus
Afrikaans Theatre.
Disempowered Black South Africans.

7. • 1960-1991
South Africa became a Republic
The policies of the National party were applied in the
country and the full impact of the earlier policies was felt
theatrically kin the 1970’s
• Post (after) 1991
Nelson Mandela was released from prison on the 27th of
Feb 1990.
His release showed or brought the beginning of a post-
apartheid South Africa and influenced its theatre
immensely.

8. • WOZA ALBERT- Percy
Mtwa, Mbongeni Ngema,
Barney Simon. Here
performed by Mpilo
Nzimande and TQ Zondi
at Hexagon Theatre