African Exodus has a long history with The Centre for the Less Good Idea. Conceptualised by Sbusiso Shozi and first incubated at The Centre in 2018, African Exodus has been reimagined as a musical odyssey of sound across cultures, genres, languages, and geographies, while also taking the shape of an experimental, metaphysical journey.

Over the years, the show has developed across various iterations, and has gone on to be performed abroad. Its performance in Season 10 is something of a homecoming.

More than 80 pairs of shoes are used in African Exodus. Throughout the performance, they become phones, bowls, make-up applicators, and percussive instruments. They also serve as narrative vessels, and markers of movement and migration.

The songs that make up African Exodus are collectively composed from languages and musical styles from across the African continent and abroad. The work culminates in a striking meeting of Western and African choral traditions.

It is through this evolving musical and performative narrative that we can begin to better understand the lesser-known movements of the past. African Exodus uses music, language and movement to excavate and put forward lucid and illuminating scenes of African history, navigating the movement of people and their linguistic footprints within the African continent.

WRITER, COMPOSER & MUSICAL DIRECTOR | Sbusiso Shozi
DIRECTOR | Nhlanhla Mahlangu
PERFORMERS | Sbusiso Shozi, Thabo Gwadiso, Simphiwe Skhakhane, Thulani Zwane, Dikeledi Modubu, Lindokuhle Thabede & Isaac Kenny Mahlodi Rakotsoane
MUSICIANS | Micca Manganye & Volley Nchabeleng

— David Mann

PHOTOGRAPHER | Zivanai Matangi