The South African State Theatre (SAST) presents the production Ingoma-busuku/Nightsong: A Journey of Music, Longing and Discovery. This captivating South African musical theatre performance will run from October 16 to November 1, 2026, at the Dramatic Theatre.
The work is based on the rich tradition of isicathamiya and combines music, ancestry, history, as well as the intense search for identity and belonging by a young man.
The action of Nightsong unfolds in Durban and tells the story of Jabulani (Jabu), a talented teenage musician haunted by recurring night songs—dreams carrying the voices of ancestors and unfinished stories.
Raised by his mother Nomasonto in Berea and trained in Western classical music by retired concert pianist Mrs. Smith, Jabu increasingly gravitates towards isicathamiya and the mysterious heritage of his absent father, Stitch, a revered isicathamiya singer.
Moving between Berea, Dalton Hostel, and Inanda settlement, the production enters into a powerful dialogue between Western classical and African musical traditions.
Inspired by the nocturnal gatherings of apartheid-era isicathamiya, Nightsong views music not merely as entertainment; it becomes a sanctuary, an archive of memory, and a strong expression of resistance, community, and survival.
Through authentic isicathamiya vocals, a live band, and a dynamic ensemble, Nightsong celebrates African music as a heritage, an inheritance, and a cultural force.
At its core lies a touching story of reconciliation, family, and the courage to discover one's origins in order to understand oneself.
Tembeka Mkhize directs and provides musical direction, while Dr. Mxolis Norman co-directs, with Oscar Buthelezi creating the choreography, alongside the creative team bringing this unique South African story to life.
Audiences are invited to listen to how the night sings. From October 16 to November 1, the Dramatic Theatre will transform into a meeting place for music, memory, and ancestors—where the songs of the past find a voice in a new generation.