WeeklySA_AdminRECONNECTION: Legendary actor and director Arthur Molepo is spearheading the revival of Marabi—a landmark South African musical drama he helped create in 1982…
By Jabu Kumalo
Legendary South African actor, director and theatre creator Arthur Molepo is experiencing a powerful mix of memory and emotion as he reconnects with Marabi, one of the country’s most enduring musical theatre works.
Molepo was part of the original cast and creative team when the production was first workshopped in 1982, at a time when The Market Theatre was still finding its feet as an institution. Now, more than four decades later, he returns—this time as director—as the play opens the theatre’s year-long 50th anniversary celebrations.
In an interview with Weekly SA Mirror, Molepo reminisces: “From the beginning of workshops, in 1982, I was one of the creators of the Marabi play with Junction Avenue Theatre Company. Sadly, as life turns out to be, we have lost so many people who were involved. I’m doing this for all who lost their lives. I can almost see them and feel their participation. Most of all, I’m reviving their memories.”
South Africa’s musical theatre classic, Marabi, makes a grand return to The Market Theatre, launching the theatre’s year-long 50th anniversary celebrations on a high note. Molepo has been tasked with directing the piece.
“I’m proud to be part of this celebration. I have known The Market as a structure under construction, not a theatre. Barney Simon, Vanessa Cooke, Danny Keock and myself worked inside, trying to make a play that never took off. There was a grader right where the stage is today, with one light.
“Also, water was probably shooting up from a burst pipe. As the work progressed, second hand seats were brought in and we did the manual work, screwing them to the floor until it became a theatre. It was a huge job because from the main theatre, the two other small theatres were developed, The Laager and The Upstairs,” Molepo said.
The iconic play is set in the tough Doornfontein yards of the 1930s. It tells the story of an ordinary family of first-generation black migrants to Johannesburg who have had to move to the city, leaving behind a peaceful and predictable life. Held neatly together by a wonderful musicality, the play explores love and loss, as well as how music and memory connect the past to the present.
Marabi is based on Modikoe Dikobe’s book, “The Marabi Dance”. Molepo said he is adding life to it: “Let it live forever like Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and others. Modikoe should not die a death.”
He said the timing for this play was perfect as it was The Junction Avenue Theatre Co’s 30th anniversary, The Market Theatre’s 50th anniversary and Gallo Records’ 100th celebration: “It’s a big celebration in the arts.”
The 10-member cast features Sello Sebotsane (as Mabongo), Katleho Moloi (as Ginger George) Gabisile Tshabalala (as Martha) and Mpho Molepo (as Ntebejane), to mention just a few.
Asked about the energy or synergy between him and the actors, Molepo said: “I’m struggling to get what I want as I’m old fashioned. I’ve got indelible memories but all is good. Something Old Borrowed New.”
About his son, Mpho, who is also part of the show, he said “on duty we are all equal workers. No father son relations”.
This adaptation of Modikwe Dikobe’s seminal book titled “Marabi Dance”, the story unfolds through the character of July Mabongo as he struggles with ancestral duty, poverty and urban life. Mabongo’s daughter Martha falls in love with Ginger George, a charismatic marabi instrumentalist, defying tradition and sparking family conflict. The script was originally workshopped by Junction Avenue Theatre Company.
Mpho, of Molepo Theatre Projects, not only acts in the play, he is also the producer. He said his dad was his best friend and his go-to-person: “We’ve worked together on many projects before. This particular project is close to my heart. I saw him perform in this show 30 years ago. Today I get to produce this very work and perform in it, while he directs me. Full circle moment.
“This started just as a dream and we started working on funds to do this production. Finally, it’s on stage. About to happen. It’s really fulfilling.
“This is not just for us. We have a family member whom we are honouring with this project, the late actor Ramolao Makhene. Both him and my old man were in the first production of this play in 1982 and 1995. They also participated in workshops that produced the script of this play under Junction Avenue Theatre Company.”
Artistic Director at The Market Theatre Foundation, Greg Homann noted in a statement: “Our 50th celebrations will be guided by our principles of fearless storytelling, shared ownership and programming that reflects our nation’s diversity. This work is a signature South African theatre piece that will be enjoyed by both our legacy audiences as well as new theatre-goers of any age, giving them access to a period that defined the soul of the city. It’s a perfect play to sit as our 50th Anniversary season premiere, as we look back at the past and set the tone for the future.”
About challenges that they encountered during the creation of the play, the director, Molepo said: “Things don’t just come easy. Lots of bureaucracy. It was never easy but today it is worse. There’s always an outcry of the budget. No funding available. Most of us are shelving scripts to collect dust. The Department of Arts and Culture has made this possible for us. I’ve got 10 idling actors working for now until the end of the run at the theatre before hunger and thirst strikes again.”
In conclusion, Molepo said “This is not just a show. It is edutainment. I want people to enjoy and laugh as much but later realise that they are laughing at themselves. Pain and sorrow is meant to be from the forced removals of black people out of the city, out of Doornfontein”.
Marabi runs from January 29 to February 15 2026 at The Market Theatre.
Tickets are available at Webtickets.
