To the cookie settings To the main content To the footer
© Ouparazzi Images

Afrovibes: Katanga, 17 January

Bobby Rodwell (ZA) & Ernest Baleni (ZA)
Sat 11 Oct ’25 20:00
This performance explores the murders of the first prime minister of the current Democratic Republic of Congo and his associates and his influence on the DRC.
Sat 11 Oct ’25
20:00
  • Sat 11 Oct ’25
    20:00
    Frascati, Amsterdam
    Frascati 1
    coming soon

Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is also considered the Congolese version of Nelson Mandela. With his associates, he was assassinated, presumably on 17 January 1961. This happened in Katanga, a renegade province in the DRC.  

With an exchange of stories, the theatre performance Katanga, 17 January explores these murders and Lumumba's influence on today's Democratic Republic of Congo. Based on the lives of Lumumba and his comrades Joseph Okito and Maurice Mpolo, four performers examine the ongoing conflict in Congo. In doing so, they reflect on colonialism, African solidarity, independence, decolonisation and the struggle for Africa's resources. 
 
The stories are based on archival research, interviews with Lumumba's children, a grandchild of his collaborator and a former child soldier, and on the famous independence speech and letter Lumumba wrote to his wife in captivity. Katanga, 17 January thus honours African artistic collaboration, story exchange and Africa's liberation heritage. 

  • Duration: 70 mins.
  • Language: English
  • Note: the stories of murder, colonisation and the struggle for riches can be intense for those with personal experience around it
Part of

Credits

text & concept Bobby Rodwell director Ernest Baleni performers Billy Langa, Khutju Green, Thabo Malema Lumumba and Michael Disanka design Sne Zwane light Spider Mothetho stagemanager Labeisa Molapo 

© Ouparazzi Images
Zoom in
© Ouparazzi Images
Zoom in

Afrovibes Festival 2025

Waiting List

Subscribe to the newsletter