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Some of the Saulspoort Dam Musical cast on stage.
A musical focusing on the bus tragedy that left 51 Cosatu affiliated union members dead is on at the Northern Cape Theatre. It captures the lives and tragedy of the hopeful passengers on the bus to a Workers Day rally celebrations on 1 May 2003.
The bus with the union members plunged into the Saulspoort Dam resulting in the drowing of some workers.
Now, Dikabo Tse Ntle Music and Art Promotions has brought this tragedy to life in a 4-day Saulspoort Dam Musical – a moving story sure to capture the audiences.
It was produced by Charles Ikaneng, written and directed by Thabo Motlhabi who brings his creativity into the musical after getting the background story of the incident from one of the survivors.
One of the survivors, Tshepo Mogorosi, said they travelled from Kimberley to Qwaqwa to attend the rally. He says the trip was crucial, as they went to ask the Cosatu leadership to intervene after the suspension of 13 workers.
He survived the tragedy after climbing on top of the bus in the dam. Mogorosi says despite it happening 22 years ago, it still haunts him.
“Since 2013 to today I am no longer having flashbacks of the accident. With my last interview with the crew that has been compiling this play today I still have that subconscious fear and pain, I can’t explain how I feel but I just saw myself breaking down when the guys interviewing me about the accident that happened 22 years ago” he said.
The musical gives several Northern Cape artists an opportunity to showcase their talents on stage.
The casts include main actor, Segomotso Modise, who plays the part of Tshepo Mogorosi.
Modise feels honored to be part of a scintillating performance.
“This is a real life story, a tragic story so you need to approach it with caution as you don’t want to leave any detail outside so I am grateful that the team of researches made sure to collect all the relevant points and also grateful to be working with the team of marvelous creatives, who worked tirelessly to make sure we put together this marvelous piece”
Incorporating the tragedy into music and acting was not easy for some members of the cast. Some say the tragedy haunts them, especially the emotional impact during the planning and putting the musical together. The musical director, Lungile Phungula elaborates, “Composing the songs was heavy there was a time whereby I had to compose a song I have performed which was on top of the bus with the cast members that song was so heavy. There was a time I felt like hearing the documentary and whole story I felt like it was too heavy for me”
The Saulspoort Dam Musical also use acclaimed actor James Lee, who plays the part of Leornard Slabbert, a local resident. Slabbert saved some workers from the bus submerging on that fateful day, “For me to play the part of the guy that went to save the people it’s an honor.”
The director of Saulspoort Musical, Thabo Motlhabi explains that the production focuses on hopes, dreams and workers’ aspirations. It also focuses on the plight of the families and children of deceased workers and the survivors. Allegedly, despite the establishment of a trust fund for them, the families were never compensated.
“Two days before the funeral there 2 million imagine how much is 2 million in 2003 compared to now that was meant for victims and the survivors but they claim they didn’t get it.” Says Motlhabi.
Following its premiere in the Northern Cape Theatre, the Saulspoort Dam Musical will also go on the stage at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, which starts on the 26th of June.
