Playing with the (well) meaning

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Notes on contributor

Dr Veronica Baxter has worked in Theatre Education for over 25 years, in South Africa and the UK. Her research and practice has mainly been in the field of applied theatre in urban and rural work with trade unions, land affairs, and health. She has managed and directed a theatre-in-education company and a youth theatre company in the past. She has also written and directed for the stage, and has performed as a vocal artist. She has served as organiser, convenor and office bearer on a variety of organisations. She currently works at the University of Cape Town.

Notes

1. This is an imaginary conversation. I am indebted to Mbongeni Mtshali for assistance with the concept and language. This conversation was written in 2008 and as appears as conclusion to my Ph.D.

2. At the time of this campaign the ANC government was led by Xhosa-speaking, Eastern Cape origin leaders, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. This comment plays on attitudes that rejected the government because it did not use the traditional or customary law and Zulu leaders.

3. An expression of pity.

4. Under certain customary law both the land and the care of the widow passes to the brother of the deceased.

5. An expression of surprise.

6. Extension of Security of Tenure Act, known as ESTA, 1997.

7. South Africa's key investigative newspaper lists Nkandla as a key story to watch for 2014: http://mg.co.za/article/2014-01-02-00-mgs-top-9-stories-in-2014. Accessed 9 January 2013.