“Teksmark is celebrating its eighth year! This project is growing annually and received a record number of 110 entries in 2023. The focus of Teksmark remains the same: To create a platform for playwrights to test their ideas.
There have already been various success stories from Teksmark scripts that might not have been developed in full, or received the support it did if it were not for this project. There is even an international version, Tekstmarkt, that took place as an exchange project between the Netherlands and South Africa.
The viability and growth of Teksmark over the past years are mainly due to the support of two very important and phenomenal role-players in the industry: Cornelia Faasen from NATi and Lara Foot from the Baxter Theatre Centre. Thank you for everything that you do, not only for the industry, but for Teksmark too.
Teksmark’s energy comes from the enthusiastic participation of actors and directors. This truly is something special, partly because of the open mindedness of all the participants,but also because it is a wonderful opportunity to get together, have constructive debates, reconnect, and focus.” Hugo Theart, CEO and Artistic Director: KKNK
Of special interest to the Jakes Gerwel Foundation are Paulet House Stories members Kanya Viljoen and Zubayr Viljoen who will be showcasing their plays.
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praat gou weer by Kanya Viljoen
Daniel, a 17-year-old boy, is bored, lost and fed up with school. The only thing that he finds somewhat exciting, is the internet. And more specifically, online games and chatrooms, where you do not have to be who you really are. Caleb, his best friend, does not necessarily agree, but before they know, the game goes too far, and Daniel realises that certain actions can have lifelong consequences. praat gou weer examines how we, as a younger generation, are obsessed with control, anonymity and constantly pursuing our own destruction, despite the cost.
Kanya Viljoen is a theatre and film writer, director, and producer from Cape Town. She completed her master’s degree at the University of Cape Town in 2020 as part of the Andrew W. Mellon Re-Imagining the Tragedy from Africa and the Global South project. Her research and creative work revolve around the ideas of language, identity, and existence within a multicultural, post-colonial South Africa.
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Please, don’t call me Moffie by Zubayr Charles
After viewing a viral online video of a brutal homophobic attack in an unknown Arab country, five coloured, Cape Malay gay men in their late 20s react and share their experiences growing up Muslim and queer in Cape Town. Thereafter, a four-act drama shifts focus to the protagonist, Mushfeeq, who is turning 29 as the play begins. Mushfeeq’s circle of friends plan a surprise party for him, however, there is an unwanted guest that has been invited to the party which causes friction and conflict for Mushfeeq. Through his many mistakes, Mushfeeq ironically reveals his own bias and prejudice.
Zubayr Charles will obtain his master’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Cape Town (UCT) this year. He was part of The Baxter Theatre’s How to write a musical under the mentorship of musician and playwright David Kramer (2019), the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and LitNet’s Kommadagga writing residency under the mentorship of writer and playwright Rachelle Greeff (2020) and has been completing his first novel that was submitted as his creative thesis at UCT, under the supervision of writer and professor Imraan Coovadia (2021 and 2022). His second play, Mercy, had a sold-out run at Theatre Arts this year.
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See the full programme below:
Kanya Viljoen is ook besig met ’n meestersgraad in Drama- en Teaterstudies en wel aan die Universiteit van Kaapstad. Sy het onlangs gedebuteer deur die toneelstuk RAAK by die Vrystaat Kunstefees 2018 op die planke te bring. Dit is as Beste Produksie genomineer en het ook twee KykNET Fiësta-nominasies ontvang. Kanya is verder laasjaar as Beste Opkomende Regisseur deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Teater (SATMag) aangewys en is hierdie jaar vir ’n Fleur du Cap Teater-toekenning benoem. Kanya se Die man en die maan vertel deur ’n kombinasie van bewegingsteater en poëtiese monoloog die magiese verhaal van ’n gesin wat deur die maan verskeur word.
Zubayr Charles grew up in the picture-postcard neighbourhood of the Bo-Kaap. He teaches English First Language at the Good Hope Seminary High School and coordinates the school's drama club. At the same time, he is busy with his master's degree in creative writing at UCT. 'I write short stories, but I also consider myself a poet and playwright. In 2019 I showcased my first play dealing with gender-based violence The Battered Housewives' Club.' Zubayr is in the process of self-publishing an anthology of poems on the topic of the gentrification of the Bo-Kaap. Zubayr was hesitant about submitting his work to the Kommadagga panel. 'I have learnt that reading is subjective and people can either really like or dislike one's writing. So, I wasn't sure how the panellists would respond to my submission. When I received the good news, it was humbling because, although I have grown more confident in my writing, I wasn't sure about the reaction I would receive.' The short story he submitted deals with many of the taboos that millennials in Cape Town struggle with and that older and more conservative generations may not necessarily warm towards. 'I feel extremely honoured to be part of this programme and I hope to improve my writing in order to continue sharing the stories of the marginalised in the Cape Town of today.'
