Gibson Kente

Gibson Kente

Gibson Kente (1932 - November 7, 2004) was a South African playwright based in Soweto. He was known as the "Father of Black Theatre" in South Africa, and was one of the first writers to deal with life in the South African black townships. He produced 23 plays and television dramas between 1963 and 1992. He is also responsible for producing some of South Africa's leading musicians. And many past and present prominent artists, including Brenda Fassie, owe their first opportunities on stage to him.

Three of his plays drew criticism for being anti-apartheid and were banned; "How Long", "I Believe" and "Too Late". He was jailed for one year in 1976 on conlusion of the filming of his play "How Long". The film was never released and the master negative of the film was given to the National Film Board in Pretoria. The National Film, Video and Sound Archives is the current custodian of this film. Another famous piece is "Mama and the load", which some consider to be his best.

In 2003 he announced that he was HIV Positive. This public admission received praise from South African politicians, including Nelson Mandela.

He died peacefully in his sleep and was survived by two sons and three grandchildren.

External links

*


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Kente, Gibson — ▪ 2005 “Bra Gib”        South African playwright (b. July 23, 1932, East London, S.Af. d. Nov. 7, 2004, Soweto, S.Af.), introduced musical theatre to the impoverished townships of South Africa. Considered the founding father of black township… …   Universalium

  • Soweto — is an urban area in the City of Johannesburg, in Gauteng, South Africa. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation, short for South Western Townships .HistoryThe history of African townships south west of Johannesburg that would later form… …   Wikipedia

  • November 2004 — November 2004: January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December See also: November 2004 in sports and November 2004 in science Events …   Wikipedia

  • Jan H. Hofmeyr School of Social Work — The Jan H. Hofmeyr School of Social Work was the first institution to train black social workers in South Africa. History The Jan H. Hofmeyr School of Social Work started operating on January 15, 1941 in Eloff Street, Johannesburg, under… …   Wikipedia

  • South Africa — Republic of, a country in S Africa; member of the Commonwealth of Nations until 1961. 42,327,458; 472,000 sq. mi. (1,222,480 sq. km). Capitals: Pretoria and Cape Town. Formerly, Union of South Africa. * * * South Africa Introduction South Africa… …   Universalium

  • theatre, African — ▪ art Introduction       an art, concerned almost exclusively with live performances in which the action is precisely planned to create a coherent and significant sense of drama, as it is presented in sub Saharan Africa.       The content and… …   Universalium

  • Deaths in November 2004 — Contents 1 30 2 29 3 28 4 27 …   Wikipedia

  • Market Theatre (Johannesburg) — Market Theatre General information Address 56 Margaret Mcingana Street Johannesburg South Africa 2001 Country South Africa Inaugurated June 21 1976 Website …   Wikipedia

  • Sipho Gumede — (* 17. April 1952 in Cator Manor, Durban; † 26. Juli 2004 in Durban) war ein südafrikanischer Jazz und Fusionmusiker (Bass, Gesang). Inhaltsverzeichnis 1 Leben und Wirken 2 Preise und Auszeichnungen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • AFRIQUE DU SUD (RÉPUBLIQUE D’) — Presque entièrement située au sud du tropique du Capricorne, l’Afrique du Sud constitue un vaste ensemble géographique. La population totale dépassait les 30 millions d’habitants en 1992 et approchait les 35 millions si l’on prenait en compte la… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”