A powerful collaboration between two dynamic Free State creatives is set to light up the stage at the Vrystaat Kunstefees this July.
Acclaimed theatre-maker and filmmaker Jane Mpholo has joined forces with Bloemfontein-born television actor Katleho Mabote to present a moving and imaginative new production for young audiences titled Bahumi and His Magical Voice.
The collaboration between Mpholo and Mabote is a celebration of Free State talent on a national stage, demonstrating the power of storytelling rooted in lived experience and community consciousness.
The show is directed by Mpholo and Rondo Mpiti-Spies and features Mabote in the lead role, alongside supporting actors from the UFS Drama and Theatre Arts programme: Mosa Nyelele, Imitha Fotoyi, Dian Van Wyk, Mihle Qangani, and Kutloano Motsei, with Reitumetse Matokoane as stage manager.
Created especially for children aged 6 and above, the production marks Jane Mpholo’s second professional debut in theatre for young audiences at the festival. Known for her emotionally rich and socially conscious work, Mpholo joined hands with Mpiti-Spies to bring her signature storytelling style into a space that is playful, engaging, and
deeply necessary.
At its heart, Bahumi and His Magical Voice is inspired by Mpholo’s personal journey as a mother of twins. Through this lens, she explores the often-unspoken realities of how society raises boys differently from girls.
“We tend to be kinder and gentler towards girls, while often placing unfair expectations on boys to be strong and unshaken. This makes it difficult for the boy child to communicate and process their emotions. This playful but impactful production creates a safe platform for awareness, reflection, conversations, and the crucial change needed in a world where the boy child bottles emotions and later explodes, taking their anger and frustrations out on others.”
Through storytelling, music, and imagination, the play invites young ones (boys and girls) to break free from silence, to share their feelings, and to understand that vulnerability is not weakness. It is a celebration of the child’s right to be tender, to be brave, and to be heard, despite their gender.
Taking on the lead role is Katleho Mabote, widely recognised for his breakout performance on Showmax’s Outlaws. His involvement brings both emotional depth and authenticity to the production. As a young artist who has carved his path from Bloemfontein to national screens, Mabote carries a lived understanding of the pressures and expectations placed on young men.
His portrayal of Bahumi is rooted in sensitivity and honesty, offering young audiences a character they can see themselves in. With a natural ability to hold both strength and vulnerability on stage, Mabote brings the emotional world of the play to life in a way that is accessible, relatable, and deeply human.
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