Dladla blossoms as Fugard’s floral artist

act takes place in 1981. On a Sunday morning, Nukain is decorating the rocks with bright colours and struggling to produce conventional images of flowers. Bokkie – his young apprentice/protégé– is there to assist him.

The farmer’s wife wants something more floral/decorative on her land so Nukain – crushed by poverty and not having any rights in apartheid South Africa – gives in and paints over his original designs.

Bokkie is shattered. In the second act, it’s about 1995. The images on the rocks have faded.

Bokkie returns to the community. He is now known as Jonathan Sejake, a teacher who wants to restore the painted rock garden.

The farmer’s wife is angered by his actions and presence on her land. Tensions are high.

Apartheid is over but there is turmoil over killing of white farmers in the area and increasing violence over land distribution.

Bokkie now faces up to the farmer’s wife. Or does he?

Dladla said the confrontation in Act 1 between the farmer’s wife and Nukain is “the the crux of the show”.

“This is the very driving force behind every question and answer in the play.

Bokkie is indeed shattered, but this is the only way that Jonathan Sejake can emerge. That pain shapes him and as a ripple shapes others through Jonathan.

The second act takes place not long after Nelson Mandela is released.

This is an angry, aggressive and shameful time.

A grown Bokkie emerges, not to confront but to teach – to fulfil a promise he made to himself and to the legacy of Nukain. The play is intensely moving. It’s personal in an effective way.

It addresses current situation in our country.

It makes one uncomfortable and teaches us to feel for and with others.

One can find oneself giggling here and there but I’d recommend bringing a few tissues.

Tickets are R140-R180. Bookingson 0861 915 8000/ www. computicket.com/Fugard on 021 461 4554