Who
Stole the E-Toll?
The majority of South African citizens are well
aware of the controversies surrounding the e-toll system which the government
is set to implement in Gauteng. Therefore the comedy, Who stole the
E-toll? is particulary relevant. It shows how different
South Africans respond to the system in a hilarious and satirical way.
The show is directed by Mduduzi Vincent Nhlapho and
stars Simon Mneyi, Marang Molosiwa, Palesa Matabane, Nonkanyiso Minanzi and
Tebogo Mafubelu. All of the characters are witty and amusing in their different
roles. Their differences create humorous elements in the play.
The show starts off with all the actors arriving
late for work and being very incompetent at their jobs. The manager announces
that their salaries are being reduced because of the new e-toll system. They
all come together to strike against, and boycott the system. Their plan is to
steal the e-toll.
The playwright uses the characters’ incompetence at
work and their quick response to challenge the new e-toll to poke fun at
society’s failures, as well as at the government’s relationship with its
citizens. Nhlapho achieves this by using colloquial South African
language and by addressing real issues in society.
It is ironic how the pastor plays a huge role in
the plot to steal the e-toll. This authenticates the use of the church as a
vehicle to fight against the system. It is also amusing how Dumb Albert, a
mute, plays the clever electrician and all the characters have to decipher his
miming to dismantle the e-toll. Another character experiences labour pains
during the dismantling of the e-toll and refuses to give birth until the e-toll
has been removed.
If you find the e-toll system ridiculous, you
should meet the characters in Who Stole the E-toll? They will
make you howl and crack up with amusement for a good 45 minutes. -Tanya Nyathi
No comments:
Post a Comment