Molebatsi Motshiliba, a 25-year-old playwright from Soweto but currently reside in Tsakane, brings a raw and emotional narrative to the stage through her theater play, Pieces of a Woman, which highlights the realities of gender-based violence (GBV). This powerful production, spanning 45 minutes, is not just a performance—it is a call to action.
Motshiliba draws inspiration from personal experience. “Growing up, we had a tenant who was abused by her husband,” she recounts. “One dreadful night, she didn’t wake up to open the gate for him, so my mother did. While my sister and I were asleep, we heard people fighting, and when we went outside, she opened her door with blood all over her dress.” Despite the gravity of the situation, the victim chose to protect her abuser, pretending nothing had happened when the police arrived. “I was deeply hurt,” says Motshiliba, “and from that day, I decided to be the voice for the voiceless and raise awareness in my community.”
Pieces of a Woman follows the journey of Nomathemba Khumalo, an ordinary black South African woman who elopes with her boyfriend, Thabiso Dlamini, in pursuit of a better life. However, as the play powerfully conveys, “not all that glitters is gold.” Through contemporary dance, movements, and poetic pieces, the play explores how the couple finds themselves living on the outskirts of society. At its core, it pays tribute to the strength and resilience of women.
Motshiliba expects a range of emotional reactions from audiences—shock, sadness, anger, and empathy. She explains, “It aims to make one introspect on their attitude towards gender-based violence and its impact on society. The message conveyed is centered around raising awareness, the cause and effects, the cycle of abuse, and the importance of supporting survivors and holding perpetrators accountable.” In addition to portraying these painful realities, the play seeks to challenge societal norms related to gender roles and power dynamics. Ultimately, Motshiliba hopes to inspire change, creating a safer world for all.
In preparation for the play, the cast had the privilege of attending a master class hosted by the legendary Dr. John Kani. Reflecting on the experience, Motshiliba shares, “Such moments will be forever cherished and appreciated.” The Market Theatre provided guidance by assigning two industry experts to work with them every two weeks, refining the play. “The challenge was constructing and deconstructing the play,” she says, “but the play turned out to be a masterpiece, even if I may say so myself.”
Pieces of a Woman debuted at TX Theatre during the 2023 Tembisa Theatre Week. It has since been on tour, performed at the Rhoo Hlatswayo Art Center and Sibikwa Art Center under the #POAW_ON_TOUR banner. The team has ambitious plans to take the play nationwide, targeting platforms such as the Vavasati an international festival, happening at the South African State Theatre and the National Arts Festival in Makanda (formerly Grahamstown). “We also hope to take the show to international theatre festivals,” says Motshiliba, with aspirations of winning awards like the Naledi Theatre Awards.
Beyond the personal and social implications, Motshiliba believes in the unique power of theater to convey meaningful messages. “Art has a beautiful way of connecting people beyond language, beliefs, traditions, and ethnicity. It’s an expression that everyone can feel.” Theater, she emphasizes, has the special ability to “carry a powerful story with an important message in the simplest way possible,” making it an unparalleled tool for societal engagement and transformation.
The urgency of the play’s message cannot be overstated. Motshiliba highlights the stark reality that “South Africa is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for a woman. A woman is murdered every three hours, and one in four men admit to committing rape.” She also acknowledges that GBV affects men and occurs in same-sex relationships, meaning that no society is free from its clutches. “The best outlet to engage society was through this play,” she asserts.
One particularly striking scene depicts a perpetrator sent to jail after being found guilty of murdering their loved one. Later, when the perpetrator applies for parole, they recount how they attended anger management classes and therapy sessions while in jail. “Some essential resources and support include a crisis hotline, counselling, and therapy services from NGOs, NPOs, and other organizations,” Motshiliba adds, pointing to the necessity of rehabilitation and recovery.
At its heart, Pieces of a Woman is about healing and awareness. “Theatre makes it easy to engage and move society in a way that no other form of communication can,” concludes Motshiliba. Through this gripping play, she hopes to inspire a movement toward a safer, more compassionate world for all.
By Sibongile Sokela
