By OBAKENG MAJE
30 September 2024- The Moya: Spiritual Journey that was presented at Mmabana Taung on 7 September 2024, left the audience calling for more. The musical play drew performers and audiences alike to a deeper connection to their spiritual roots.
The Director of Moya: Spiritual Journey, Nnete Manyesa said the play seeks to help one reconnect to the self – to introspect and rediscover inner peace. Manyesa said in most cases, Africans distance themselves from their spiritual calling and believe that it is aligned with bad spirit.
“The spiritual journey involves healing and affirming the ego so that positive states are experienced. In our play, there is a young woman called Naledi, who has a calling.
“However, it was so difficult to adhere to it because her mom was a firm believer. So, in the process, nothing goes right in her life. The spirit dictated everything in Naledi’s life until she adhered to the spiritual calling,” he said.
Manyesa further said with self-esteem, belief in self-worth and Africanism, most Africans will become less constrained. He added that acceptance of who you are is an essential aspect of a true spiritual journey.
“The purpose of Moya: The Spiritual Journey is to reflect on what we are going through on a daily basis. Moya: The Spiritual Journey play was inspired by the behaviour of our black people when they have a calling. Mostly, they will think the calling is bad spirit and reject it in the process.
“This play is here to educate them to augment Africanism. If you have a calling, you can pray and do whatever, however, follow the calling because culture prevails before religion,” said Manyesa.
He said he was happy with the unwavering support they received from the people of Taung. Manyesa said they call on other stakeholders, including the government to come on board.
“We would like to take this play to other areas across the North West. Our fundamental goal was to perform it at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria.
“We might also go international because this message needs to get across. Arts is still underdeveloped in the North West, hence we call on various stakeholders, including the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation to give us necessary support,” he said.
Manyesa said they are grateful that they received funding from the National Department of Arts and Culture.
Meanwhile, the leading actor, Refilwe Cwaile, who is a professional performer and also started here at Mmabana Taung said, she then went to the South African State Theatre in Pretoria and she has been working as a professional since 2010.
“So, this is what I do for a living and fortunately, I have also travelled the world. I specialise in theatre and I am also a drama facilitator and scholar.
“I major in arts education and I decided to come back home in quest of nurturing the raw talents. Even though these past three weeks was hectic, we managed to inculcate our skills and experience to them,” said Cwaile.
She said they are now better than before and she hopes they will nurture with time.
The Guardian 