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My Children! My Africa!

Title and Author

  • My Children! My Africa! is a play by Athol Fugard.

Copyright Information

  • Copyright © 1989 by Athol Fugard. Published by Theatre Communications Group.

  • All rights reserved, with restrictions on reproduction without permission.

Introduction to Athol Fugard

Other Works by Fugard

  • Notable plays include:

    • Blood Knot

    • The Captain’s Tiger: A Memoir for the Stage

    • Marigolds in August

    • A Lesson from Aloes

    • Valley Song

    • The Road to Mecca

Overview of the Play

Premiere and Production Information

  • First presented in the U.S. by the New York Theatre Workshop on December 18, 1989.

  • Original production by The Market Theatre, Johannesburg in June 1989.

  • Notable cast includes:

    • Mr. M: Anela Myalatya

    • Isabel Dyson: Lisa Fugard

    • Thami Mbikwana: Courtney B. Vance

Themes and Setting

  • The action takes place in a small town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa during autumn 1984.

Characters

  • Mr. M (Anela Myalatya): A teacher troubled by the state of education and society.

  • Isabel Dyson: A schoolgirl who challenges traditional values and is idealistic.

  • Thami Mbikwana: A student who becomes increasingly aware of socio-political issues and the struggle for freedom.

Structure and Acts

  • The play is divided into two acts, containing multiple scenes that depict various interactions and debates between characters.

Main Topics Addressed

  1. Education and Empowerment: The role and power of education in the fight against oppression.

  2. Race Relations: The intersection of racial identities and social dynamics.

  3. Political Activism: The growing awareness and involvement of youth in the anti-apartheid struggle.

  4. Generational Conflict: The differences in outlook between the older and younger generations regarding tradition and change.

  5. Personal and Collective Identity: The struggle to define oneself within broader societal expectations and political realities.

Significant Events

  • The opening scene introduces a classroom debate, showcasing the differing perspectives of Isabel and Thami.

  • Isabel's encounter with Thami reveals her realization of the harsh realities faced by black South Africans versus her own privileged upbringing.

  • Mr. M acts as a mediator, aiming to encourage constructive dialogue and understanding between students of different backgrounds.

Climax

  • Tensions rise as Thami becomes more involved in political activism and the sense of urgency within the community grows.

  • Thami's decision to participate in protests leads to a tragic outcome, dramatically affecting all characters.

Conclusion

  • The play ends with a poignant reflection on the price of struggle and the potential for hope in the face of adversity. Isabel vows to honor Mr. M’s legacy by committing to her own path of making a difference.

Final Notes

  • Fugard draws from personal experience and historical context to create a narrative that is both specific to South African society yet universally relevant in its themes of struggle, identity, and the impact of education.

  • The play is a call to action for recognizing the hidden costs of passivity in both personal and societal contexts.