Aubrey Sekhabi

Aubrey W. Sekhabi
Born	Soshanguve, Gauteng, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Education	University of the Witwatersrand
Occupation(s)	playwright, director, and artistic director
Children	Shalate Sekhabi
Awards	Best Director at Naledi Theatre Awards 2015 Most original production at FNB Vita Award (1994) Standard Bank Young Artist Award 1998

Aubrey W. Sekhabi is a South African playwright, director, and artistic director of the South African State Theatre. He has made significant contributions to the theater industry and has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

Early and personal life

Aubrey's passion for the arts began at a young age. He was born and raised in South Africa and developed a love for theater and storytelling. He pursued his education at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1988. At 15, he penned his first play ^[4] and by 2002, he became the artistic director at the South African State Theatre (SAST). ^{[5] [6]} Aubrey's daughter is Shalate Sekhabi, an actress and a singer. ^{[7] [8]}

Controversy

Employees accused Aubrey of corruption, verbal and sexual harassment and unjust dismissals. ^[9] An anonymous letter was sent to the Department of Arts and Culture seeking intervention. Aubrey denied the accusations, dismissing them as a smear campaign. ^[10]

Notable productions

• Silent Voice - Is an original play written and directed by Aubrey, delves into the gripping tale of four men entangled in a failed robbery turned deadly, navigating a high-stakes fight for survival. It was first devised in 1992. ^[11]
• Marikana - The Musical - A play adapted from the book "We Are Going to Kill Each Other Today: The Marikana Story". ^{[12] [13]} In 2015, at the Naledi Theatre Awards, the production received nominations across 18 categories and won in six, following its stage premiere in 2014. ^{[14] [15] [1] [16]}
• Freedom - The Musical (2020) - Won the Best Score/Arrangement/Adaptation award at Naledi Theatre Awards. ^{[17] [18]}
• Sophiatown ^[19]
• Rivonia Trial - He won the best director awards in Naledi Theatre Awards 2019. ^{[20] [21]}

Awards and recognition

• Best Director at Naledi Theatre Awards 2015 for Marikana: The Musical. ^{[12] [16]}
• Standard Bank Young Artist Award 1998 (Drama). ^{[4] [22]}
• Most original production at FNB Vita Award (1994) for Mika. ^[4]

References

1. "Naledi theatre awards nominations announced". SowetanLIVE. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
2. "GQ&A With Aubrey Sekhabi". www.gq.co.za. Archived from the original on 28 May 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
3. "Backstage with Aubrey Sekhabi". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
4. Staff Reporter (21 November 1997). "Bright young things". The Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
5. "Bringing brave theatre to the people". 31 January 2012. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
6. "About Us - STATE THEATRE". 18 April 2019. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
7. Mutengwa, David (23 April 2023). "Like father like daughter: HOZ actress Shalate Sekhabi wears her father's gown on graduation day [pictures]". The South African. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
8. "Shalate Sekhabi's ode to her father during her graduation – 'I want to create and tell my own stories'". TrueLove. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
9. "Theatre boss under attack". Sunday World. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
10. WORLD, SUNDAY (29 February 2020). "Theatre boss under attack". Sunday World. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
11. Wee, Naledi de (17 March 2022). "Star-studded theatre production 'Silent Voice' hits the cinema". The South African. Archived from the original on 9 April 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
12. "'Marikana the musical' returns to State Theatre for 10th anniversary of massacre". 1 August 2022. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
13. Sefularo, Masechaba. "Marikana the Musical: 'Marikana will never leave us' says director". ewn.co.za. Archived from the original on 1 July 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
14. "South Africa State Theatre presents Marikana - The Musical". Bizcommunity. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
15. Mkhwanazi, Katlego (19 March 2015). "'Marikana: The Musical' scores 13 nominations". The Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
16. Mkhwanazi, Katlego (15 April 2015). "Marikana musical wins big at Naledi Theatre awards". The Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
17. "'Freedom The Musical' relives the historical events of Fees Must Fall". 16 June 2020. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
18. "All the 2019 Naledi Theatre Awards winners". Bizcommunity. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
19. "Music, emotions, dance at opening of 'Sophiatown: A Play' at State Theatre". 9 May 2023. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
20. "South African history revealed in Rivonia Trial". Media Update. 30 June 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
21. "NALEDI WINNERS". SowetanLIVE. Archived from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
22. "Full list of Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners". National Arts Festival. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.

External links

• Aubrey Sekhabi at IMDb
• Aubrey Sekhabi on Instagram