Taking performance out of the theatre and into the public spaces of Maboneng and its surrounds has been central to The Centre for the Less Good Idea’s ways of working since its inaugural Season.

Most recently revisited in Season 6, the Public Procession is a means of mapping and engaging with the people, the architecture, the public space, and the everyday performances, practices and processions that exist in the city.

In No Man’s Land, Sello Pesa’s two-part public procession, performers, waste reclaimers, musical groups and members of the public come together to move through, activate, and pay tribute to the public spaces of Maboneng, Jeppestown and surrounds.

“How can we talk about Arts on Main without talking about Mai Mai or Jeppestown? There are also performances taking place there,” explains Pesa.

Taking place over two mornings, No Man’s Land sees the Joburg Minstrels, the Kimbangiste Brass Band, the isichatamiya group Inselelo ye Mbobe, the Duduza Serenade choir and more bringing their practices to the streets of Johannesburg.

Central to the procession is the intersection of various pre-exisiting dynamics in the city. By identifying and activating the inherent musicality, choreography and everyday performance of the city, the public procession becomes a roving, improvisational work.

It becomes a performance that speaks as much to the people of the spaces it moves through as it does to the infrastructures that frame and influence these spaces.

— David Mann

PHOTOGRAPHER | Zivanai Matangi

CREDITS:

Part 1

CONCEPTUALISER | Sello Pesa
PERFORMERS (RECLAIMERS) | Micca Manganye, Vusi Mdoyi, Teresa Phuti Mojela, Simphiwe ‘Beatz’ Bonongo, Ntsoana Contemporary Dance Theatre: Ange Bembeka, Humphrey Maleka & Sello Pesa
MATSELA NOKA (RECYCLERS) | Chimama Chimama, Motlatsi Chochane, Lirafi Mabasa, Seabata Mokhothotso, Rorisang Morapelo, Thabelo Ralesupi, Makopano Ramakabane, Thabelo Ralesupi & Mamotsesesi Thamae
JOBURG MINSTRELS | Saeed Abrahams, Moegammad Boolay, Precilla Bowes, Chandre Cherval, Chadwyn Louw, Megan Gessler, Aminah Hendricks, Nazeerah Hendricks, Zakiyyah Hendricks, Nadia Jacobs, Octavia Jenkins, Shari Jenkins, Aisha Bernadine Petrus, Nathan Rangers, Francis Rhoda, Simone Kelly Rhoda, Mohamed Sallie, Shaiq Sallie, June Stevens, Teresa Swart, Keren Swart, Emmanuel Terblanche, Anjonique Von Eck, Antonia Von Eck, Cassandra Von Eck, Chevon Von Eck, Len-drique Von Eck, Melandre Von Eck, Reuchelle Von Eck, Sandra Von Eck & Shane Jnr Von Eck

Part 2

CONCEPTUALISER | Sello Pesa
PERFORMERS | Ntsoana Contemporary Dance Theatre: Ange Bembeka, Humphrey Maleka & Sello Pesa
INSELELO YE MBOBE | Jimmy Khanyile, Jabulane Lamola, Vusi Mothuli, Skhulu Dladla, Melusi Ngobese, Bhekane Lamola, Thobelane Masango, Lungelo Masango, Celemusa Ngobese, Bafanzane Khanyile, Mduduzi Masango, Lungisani Shange & Mlu Khanyile
KIMBANGISTE BRASS BAND | Diclin Mwambi, Gradi Kalongo, Mira Kalongo, Samuel Lendo, Wayne Mbiza, Berthin Nondo, Debs Nondo, Ancaclet Sibu, Sami Bahama & Chris Mbuyi
DUDUZA SERENADE | Hamilton Motloung (Choir Director), Ntando Jileka, Goodman Nkosi, Palesa Makopo, Sphiwe Mnyakeni, Jacob Modisenyane, Gift Mkaza, Katleho Success Ntja, Nkululeko Mahlaba, Mduduzi Sindane, Katleho Mtembu, Lerato Mahlangu, Lerato Khoza, Tshepiso Pheko, Nonhlanhla Mvubu, Motlalepula Mohapeloa, Londiwe Radebe, Mpho Mokoena, Joyce Mashinini, Sbongile Motaung, Swazi Mtshali, Nthabiseng Sithole, Amohelang Mahloko, Lerato Kekana, Mammela Moremoholo, Bafana Mavimbela, Khulekani Nxumalo, Happy Ntuli, Thabiso Mokoena, Nomfundo Maleka, Tshepo Shabalala, Lerato Koele, Phumlani Tshabalala, Thoko Chauke, Lebogang Blos, Nomasonto Nhlapo, Mastorie Elizabeth Sebulele, Lerato Dibetso, Lethabo Rams & Hope Mabena