Reimagining History: Rise ’76 at The Market Theatre

Marking a monumental milestone in both South Africa’s liberation history and the performing arts, The Market Theatre has partnered with the Baxter Theatre to co-produce a gripping new work of historical fiction: RISE ’76: The Story of June 16th. Staged in the Mannie Manim Theatre from 5 to 28 June 2026, this poignant production honours the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising.

Significantly, this milestone aligns with the exact week in 1976 that The Market Theatre first opened its doors to fight apartheid through fearless storytelling. Written and directed by the multi-award-winning, two-time Fleur du Cap recipient Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni, the play trades textbook narratives for an intimate look at the ordinary people who shaped history.

The Narrative: A Community on the Brink

Set entirely within the fictional Molefe Secondary School in Soweto, the production traces how a standard school day rapidly unravels as mid-year exams loom:

• The Catalyst: Student leaders “Bafana Buthelezi” and “Kedibone Moloi” find themselves locked in a fierce, escalating confrontation with their school principal, “Mr Alfie Ndlovu,” over the forced imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.

• Lived Realities: Rather than viewing the uprising solely through the lens of political figures, the play details the raw social textures, confusion, and collective awakening experienced by everyday families and teachers.

• Deep Research: The script is beautifully humanised and impeccably researched, drawing directly from the firsthand testimonies and oral histories of over 40 individuals alongside archival records.

Performance Schedule & Ticket Logistics

Because this production serves as a centrepiece for Youth Month 2026 and The Market Theatre’s 50th birthday celebrations, booking patterns show high demand, especially around mid-June.

• Show Dates: 5 June – 28 June 2026.

• Venue: Mannie Manim Theatre, The Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg.

• Standard Ticket Pricing: R140 – R220 per person.

• Ticketing Partner: Official bookings are managed via Webtickets.

Special Savings & Commemorative Days

• Youth Day Performances: On Tuesday, 16 June 2026, the theatre will host two special commemorative performances at 15:00 and 19:00, both available at a special half-price discount.

• Mid-Week Specials: All Wednesday evening performances throughout the run are designated as Half-Price Wednesdays.

• Group Discounts: Tiered price reductions are automatically applied on Webtickets for general public groups of four or more, with deeply reduced rates allocated for school groups of 10 or more.

Meet the Creative Team and Cast

The production transfers to Johannesburg following a critically acclaimed, premier run at the Baxter Theatre Studio in Cape Town earlier in May. The ensemble brings together a powerful blend of exceptional young talents and veteran South African performers:

Why Rise ’76 is Essential Viewing in 2026

Because the play focuses on the smaller “ripple effects” of apartheid-era policies within daily institutions, it provides audiences with a jarring, fresh vantage point on a well-known historical turning point. Rather than rendering the uprising as a distant historical event, Mashifane wa Noni’s direction highlights the micro-choices, quiet defiance, and immense courage shown inside individual classrooms.

Consequently, the production has earned immense praise from local media and theatre stalwarts alike—hailed by Broadway World as a “haunting and powerfully human portrait” and lauded by legendary actress Thembi Mtshali-Jones for its profound emotional weight. It stands as a vital piece of theatre that honours the heavy sacrifices of the past while challenging modern viewers to reflect on how history is actively made.

Ensure you do not miss this landmark cultural collaboration. Secure your seats via Webtickets today to experience a piercingly honest, masterfully performed chapter of South Africa’s living memory.

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