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SCENE IT: PURPOSE, the antidote to despair
- Sep 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Maria Kearns
PURPOSE, currently onstage at the Baxter Theatre as part of the Zabalaza Theatre Festival’s Finest of the Fest offering, follows a young man dealing with the complexities of being summoned to be a traditional healer.
Lwanda Sindaphi makes his way on to the stage through a movement sequence that compels those assembled to pay attention as the actor hugs the edges of the space around a low stone circle. He starts his narrative by talking about a mysterious girl from a distant time who makes reckless decisions, walks alone in the forest, and doesn’t act like the others in the village.
A fitting commencement, as PURPOSE, written by Sindaphi and directed by Thando Doni, goes on to tell the story of a young man living in present-day Delft, Cape Town, who starts hearing the call of his ancestors to become a traditional healer.
As soon as he steps into the circle that dominates the stage, Sindaphi has the entire room in the palm of his hand. He takes the audience on his journey to Delft, pointing out a few well-known settlements and traffic circles on the way (and even finding the right moment to include a well-received dig at the current US president). He introduces us to the small host of characters that populate his everyday life, and his embodiment of each of these is a delight.
Solomon Mashiane’s set and lighting design makes effective use of spotlights and hanging lamps to guide and accentuate Sindaphi’s movement from reality to dreamworld and back as he battles his calling. The sound design by Mangaliso Ntekiso provides an atmospheric aid but never overpowers the action on stage.
Despite some pacing issues that threaten to disrupt the show’s natural flow of energy, Sindaphi delivers a compelling performance of a kind-hearted yet conflicted man.
At times playful and even lighthearted, PURPOSE allows the audience a glimpse into the life of a young man fighting his destiny. ‘Do what you are sent to do, or die of despair,’ he hears—something many of us may want to keep in mind.
PURPOSE is the second Zabalaza Finest of the Fest 2025 winner and will be running at the Baxter Studio until 20 September 2025. There will be evening performances and matinees, and tickets are available through Webtickets. Please note it carries an age restriction of 14.