Ka Lebitso La Moya
%20-%20Cherae%20Halley.jpg)
Set in the fictional township of Ha Satane, the story follows a community plagued by poverty, unemployment and crime. When a charming new priest arrives, he offers hope, but beneath his charisma lies a dark and dangerous secret. Exploring themes of love, manipulation, deceit, indoctrination and sexual violence, Ka Lebitso la Moya dares to confront power, healing, and the realities faced by Black communities. This is a story that will move, challenge and stay with you.
- Rating: 5 / 5 (13 reviews)
Reviews
- Lattecia Ramaile — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 26, 2025
This was my first ever Theatre experience and Ka lebitso did not disappoint ohh I love loved it , safe to say I will be watching more theatre plays , beautiful production - Kholiwe Dlamini — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 26, 2025
This was a great production. I though roughly enjoyed - Sedii Matsunyane-Ferguson — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 24, 2025
I’ve had the pleasure of watching this play twice: once during its original run last year July, and again during its current run. Witnessing its evolution has been a delight. The script perfectly encapsulates the abuse of power from those we trust, but done with wit, satire and musical elements. A definite watch! - Rersavant Glen Nkuna — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 24, 2025
This play was a profound mirror for the inner conflict I've long held with religion, echoing the very life I've lived in rural areas and the township. It brought to life the stories shared among my friends and family. The writing and performances were so strong that the initial laughter faded into a deep, silent recognition; you knew these characters too intimately to simply find them funny. They held up a powerful reflection, and you couldn't help but see pieces of yourself or a person you know in every one of them. Yeses!! - Lisa Notshe — ★★★★☆ (4/5) — October 24, 2025
Get ready to smile, get ready to laugh AND get ready to cry. A story that not many people want to hear, but a story that many should. The production touches ona very sensitive topic, but it is a topic we all need to sit and think about at least once. Amazing production Amazing storytelling And amazing music - Mihlali Adams — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 22, 2025
Where do I even begin. I laughed and cried throughout this entire production. The themes are quite hectic however the use of comedy and music makes it so that we can have fun and enjoy the show. The writing is absolutely brilliant. I loved how the story didn’t end in an expected way. I found the intertwining of lives really interesting. I loved the music and the way that the actors used it for audience participation, it really felt like being in church on Sunday; heartwarming and familiar. All the performances were amazing, I was particularly mesmerised by the character of Lentswe. Especially in the smaller moments the actor managed to breathe life into the character and keep us on the journey with her. I felt many emotions watching her. The ensemble is very strong. The overall direction was brilliant, at no point did anything feel out of place. The world of the story was built so well. I really enjoyed seeing this show and hope others do to! - Sanele Zulu — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 22, 2025
What an amazing masterpiece! If you touched you blessed it, shoutout to everyone involved! Sanele Zulu - Vuyisile Mshudulu — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 18, 2025
"Ka Lebitso La Moya" is a theatre production set in the fictional township of Ha Satane that explores subjects and themes that are not so fictional. The star studded production opened with a resounding standing ovation on the 06 October 2025 at the Market Theatre's Ramolao Makhene Theatre. The exceptional direction of Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatte Allumni, MoMo Matsunyane and the Musical Direction of Zolani Shangase have elevated the production for what it originally was. MoMo Matsunyane displays signs of a person determined to redefine township theatre and package it for global appreciation. We encourage those who have not seen the production but more so those who saw the original iteration to make an effort get their tickets from Webtickets and watch its beautiful evolution. Ka Lebitso La Moya is what I call 'Theatre with resonance'. A relatable story that confronts uncomfortable questions about the deceptive side of religion, abuse of power, the pacifying effect of politics and puts out a mirror on questionable and problematic parenting. Ka Lebitso La Moya reflects the times in ways that do not exclusively focus on problems but also gives solutions to the pitfalls in our national consciousness. Starring Josias Dos Moleele , Khutjo Green , Sibusiso Black Madondo , Siyasanga Papu, Zevangeli Mpofu, and Chrisophocus Seboka joined by Tshepo Dean on Keys. The cast bring depth through their awe-inspiring performance further cementing why the play had so many Naledi Award nominations and wins. The play runs until 26 October 2026. - Siyababa_Chillies NO surname Name — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 18, 2025
Locally relatable and relevant story telling. This show has all the nuances that we as South Africans can relate to. A must watch beautiful award winning show with a great ensemble! - Kutlo Rantlhane — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 17, 2025
I walked into Ka Lebitso La Moya thinking I was about to watch a simple story about faith and community, but what MoMo Matsunyane gives us is so much heavier — it’s a gut punch wrapped in poetry. The play is raw, layered, and unafraid to expose how faith, power, and desperation intertwine in spaces like Ha Satane. It captures that constant tension between hope and survival, where belief becomes both a shield and a weapon. You can feel Matsunyane’s fingerprints on every scene — her writing is sharp, unflinching, and deeply rooted in the lived experiences of Black South Africans who’ve had to find God in chaos. What hit me most was how *real* it all felt. The performances are haunting — not in a loud, performative way, but in their stillness, their truth. The characters carry entire histories in their silences. There’s a tenderness beneath the anger, especially in the way the play handles pain, manipulation, and spiritual exploitation. It’s not preachy; it’s brutally honest. The score and sound design flow like a heartbeat through it all — grounding you in the world even as it falls apart onstage. It’s not an easy watch, and maybe that’s the point. At times, the heaviness sits on your chest, but it’s the kind of weight that feels necessary. Ka Lebitso La Moya reminds you that theatre isn’t just for escape — it’s for confrontation. It holds up a mirror and dares you not to look away. MoMo Matsunyane doesn’t just tell a story; she calls out a system, a silence, a complicity we all know too well. By the end, you don’t clap because you’re entertained — you clap because you’ve survived something honest. - Mel Eksteen — ★★★★☆ (4/5) — October 17, 2025
Well written. Well casted. Beautifully lit. Absolutely beautiful musical arrangement. What a treat! - King Joe — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 17, 2025
The opening night was electric. Such a beautiful piece - Mahlatsi Mokgonyana — ★★★★★ (5/5) — October 16, 2025
Ka Lebitso La Moya is a powerful example of South African Township Theatre, a form of live performance that masterfully combines music, text, dance, and spectator participation. While these elements are found in other theatrical forms, Township Theatre is distinct. Its uniqueness lies not just in its style, but in its core purpose: to centre the lives, issues, and narratives of marginalized people in South African townships. The lasting divisions of apartheid's spatial planning locked many Black South Africans out of certain social spheres, creating a specific world with its own nuances. This world remained largely unknown to those outside of it. When it was documented, it was often through the "white gaze" an attempt to capitalize on Black stories or driven by an obsession with Black lives. Township Theatre existed to reclaim these narratives, bringing marginalized stories to the forefront and celebrating the vibrant culture forged in response to systemic exclusion. This is not to say these stories aren't universal, but rather that they have historically been sidelined as unsophisticated for the mainstream. Figures such as Bra Gib , Credo Mutwa whose work is referenced in the play as an homage, Mbongeni Ngema, and others who insisted on capturing these stories and making them accessible to the people they were about. Township theatre is a celebration of Black art in its rawest form. It uses music and dance to create joy, while employing dialogue and text to critically engage with oppression. Ka Lebitso La Moya is a homage to this tradition. It leads the audience in celebration while simultaneously challenging them to confront difficult themes. The work makes you love characters you shouldn't and hate the systemic cruelty of apartheid, forcing you to acknowledge its enduring legacy in both overt and subtle forms. The production may seem intentionally "tacky" or low-brow to some, but this is a deliberate artistic choice. It stands as a Township Opera that rejects the so-called sophistication of mainstream theatre, which often alienates its audience. Instead, the staging of Ka Lebitso La Moya is a true reflection of township life beautifully chaotic, intelligently controlled, and created with profound intention for the people it represents. MoMo Matsunyane has created a resonating piece of theatre that successfully captures the lives of the oppressed. The show holds you in a chokehold from beginning to end and you'll never want it to stop. It is jam-packed with the sounds and gestures of Black South Africa, weaving together genres like Gospel, Township ballad, Hip Hop, and opera. Go watch it.