Sizwe Banzi Is Dead
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1972
79
Play • Fiction
Port Elizabeth, South Africa • 1970s
1972
Adult
18+ years
Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, by Athol Fugard in collaboration with John Kani and Winston Ntshona, revolves around Sizwe Banzi, a black man in apartheid-era South Africa, who adopts the identity of a dead man, Robert Zwelinzima, to avoid deportation and to secure employment. The play begins and ends in a photography studio, and through Sizwe's interactions, it highlights the harsh realities and dehumanizing effects of apartheid. The narrative explores themes of identity and survival in a racially segregated society.
Gritty
Contemplative
Mysterious
Challenging
Emotional
86 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Sizwe Banzi Is Dead by Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona is praised for its powerful acting, gripping narrative, and poignant commentary on apartheid-era South Africa. Critics appreciate its mix of humor and tragedy. However, some feel its pacing can lag and the plot can seem thin. Overall, it's lauded for its emotional depth and socio-political impact.
Readers who appreciate powerful social commentary and theater would enjoy Sizwe Banzi Is Dead by Athol Fugard. Fans of A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry and Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett will find similar themes of identity, struggle, and existential reflection in this compelling play.
86 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
79
Play • Fiction
Port Elizabeth, South Africa • 1970s
1972
Adult
18+ years
We’re just getting started
Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!