Teksmark Joburg is presented for the second year on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October, this time at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
“Teksmark was only presented at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town for the first number of years, but it is very exciting that we can now also present this playwriting project in Johannesburg for the second time. It is a wonderful opportunity to expand this concept. We are grateful to present this project with our partner in Gauteng, the UJ Arts and Culture Department, and to present an opportunity to more writers in this way.”
These are the words of Hugo Theart, CEO and Artistic Director of the KKNK. Teksmark is an award-winning project of the KKNK, presented with the support of NATi, the Baxter Theatre, the ATKV, Het Jan Marais Nationale Fonds and this year also UJ.
“The core of Teksmark is collaboration and we are very grateful to the partners of this project, including NATi and the Baxter Theatre who have supported the project from the outset. Their involvement encourages writers to tell South African stories through new scripts. The project also creates an informal platform for discussions and togetherness in the industry. And that makes the project very special”, Theart says.
Teksmark Joburg takes place on Thursday 24 October and Friday 25 October at the University of Johannesburg’s Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre on the Kingsway Campus. Attendance is free and those interested can register online on the KKNK’s website for sessions to be attended.
Excerpts from 15 new scripts, by 15 playwrights, are on stage at Teksmark Joburg. These scripts and their playwrights are: Eendag by Ethan Bester; eMalahleni: The Black Lung by Qondiswa James; Julie Columbus by Herschelle Benjamin; Mme We! by Sibahle Mabaso; Poster Boys by Ter Hollmann; Psycho-Therapy by Stephanie Jenkins; Saam sweer by Braam van der Vyver; Sasikhe Sabhabha: We Once Flew by Thozama Busakwe; Sluk ’n pil by Johann Smith; Spectrum by Rondo Mpiti-Spies; Tall Ships by Garth Mason; Terpentyn by Karla Cloete; Threads of Love and Liberation by Imaan Latif; Thula Mntanam by Mbasa Tsetsana and Tita Ge Ti Aboxan “Ek is my voorvaders”: Die Khoisan-storie by Obed de Koker.
Teksmark Joburg creates a platform for both established and emerging writers to present their script ideas to potential investors. Teksmark Joburg provides an opportunity to each playwright to discuss their script idea, followed by a playreading excerpt of ten minutes. Afterwards, the floor is opened for the audience to ask questions for further discussions of the script between the author, those involved and the audience.
Playreadings are performed by more than 30 individuals, including Amanda Strydom, Obed de Koker, Cara Meiring, Peter Terry, Lara Lourens, Lunga Khuhlane and Sibusiso Mkhize. A total of 15 directors are involved, including Kaz McFadden, Jade Bowers, Ilana Cilliers, Èmil Haarhoff, Barend Mynhardt, Qondiswa James, Renos Spanoudes and Marié-Heleen Coetzee.
From the more than 100 scripts submitted for consideration this year, 15 scripts were presented at the Baxter Theatre in September.
For more information about Teksmark Joburg contact the KKNK office via email at info@kunste.org.za, telephonically at 044 203 8600 or via WhatsApp to 065 285 2337 or visit www.kknk.co.za.
The 29th KKNK takes place in Oudtshoorn from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 April 2025. For more information about the festival, keep an eye on the KKNK’s social media, visit www.kknk.co.za or contact 044 203 8600, send an email to info@kknk.co.za or a WhatsApp to 065 285 2337.
Photos: Various scenes from the first Teksmark Joburg in 2023. © Reinhardt Bodenstein