Jenny Kandenge Takes on ‘For Colored Girls’

Born Paulette Linda Williams in Trenton, New Jersey, on 18 October 1948, this fierce poet and playwright lived a life of love, depression, loss, friendship, racism and possibly all human experiences a black woman could endure. In 1971 after coming to terms with her depression and alienation, she changed her name to Ntozake Shange, which means ‘she who comes with her own things’ and ‘who walks like a lion’ in Zulu.

Five years later, Shange translated her life as a black woman onto paper with her first and most acclaimed theatre piece, ‘For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf’. The production embodies a series of poems accompanied by dance and music, a form of performing art the artist coined as a choreopoem. This piece sheds light upon seven women who have suffered injustice in a racist and sexist society.

The play’s relevance has transcended generations and remains relatable to women across the world more than four decades later.

Award-winning Namibian novelist, playwright, director and screenwriter Jenny Kandenge is bringing ‘For Colored Girls’ to the National Theatre of Namibia at the end of this month.

She is known for her plays, script-writing workshops and ‘Untitled’, a web series, but even before this journey began, Kandenge fell in love with Shange’s script.

“I’ve wanted to stage this since 2013,” she says. “It’s a challenge for me and the creative team. We have to be true to the playwright’s vision,” adds Kandenge, who is adamant to deliver the story truthfully to a Namibian audience.

“This play was written in the 70s and it is still relatable in this day and age. Women are still facing the same struggles.”

Kandenge mentions that the piece has a subtle way of cloaking the audience with its message, then delivering an unadulterated coupe de grâce.

“It explores the ups and downs of life. It is a true reflection of what life is like.”

To bring the play to life, Kandenge assembled a team of powerful women who make up the cast and creative team. Singer-songwriter and actress Lize Ehlers is the musical director and works alongside the country’s first all-female band comprised of Vivien Venessa Böhmer, the keyboardist and guitarist; Toshi Haufiku, also known as Namib Yaantu, on bass; Diolini (formerly known as Enchanté) on guitar and vocals, and Najah on the drums.

Christell Nassauw plays the Lady in Red, Xaviere M is the Lady in Blue, Odile Gertze represents the Lady in Orange, the young Jeanne-Danae Januarie plays the Lady in Purple, while the Lady in Yellow is portrayed by Diana Master, and Counney Kemp and Rencha Murere play the Lady in Green and Lady in Brown respectively. Nikhita Winkler serves as the choreographer for the piece.

Seasoned actress Gertze says ‘For Colored Girls’ is challenging and scares her with its engaging nature that allows for every woman to connect with it. “It is important to understand that all of us can step out of and into each other’s characters, because the topics spill over race and into all aspects of life.”

Ehlers predicts the play will have a lasting impact. “Jenny has waited a long time to stage this play, but this is the right time with the right cast. It is our responsibility to be a mirror to society.”

‘For Colored Girls’ forms part of the global campaign, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, and is suitable for theatre-goers over 14. The production will run from 28 to 30 November at the NTN’s auditorium from 20h00.

– @jonathan_sasha on Twitter; @jonathan.sasha on Instagram

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