ukwanda Archives - The Centre for Humanities Research

July 18, 2025

Holding a Thought – The puppetry of Ukwanda

‘Holding a Thought - the puppetry of Ukwanda’ will launch at Micealis Gallery on 23 July 2025. Curated by Premesh Lalu and Kurt Campbell, this exhibition engages the work of CHR Artists in Residence, Siphokazi Mpofu, Luyanda Nogodlwana and Sipho Ngxolo who make up the Ukwanda Puppetry and Design Arts Collective.

January 10, 2025

Minister De Lille joins Net Vir Pret and the CHR at Barrydale’s annual Reconciliation Day Festival.

The CHR was delighted to host Minister De Lille, at the annual Reconciliation Day Festival in Barrydale.

March 25, 2024

Luyanda Nogodlwana wins Best Puppetry Design at the 59th Fleur Du Cap Theatre Awards

It is with great pleasure that we announce Ukwanda Puppets and Design Arts Collective member, Luyanda Nogodlwane’s, award for Best Puppetry Design at the 59th Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards.

January 23, 2023

MAXEKE: “This work is not for yourselves”

This production premieres at the Star Theatre at the District Six Homecoming Centre (formerly the Fugard Theatre) on the 7th February until the 11th February 2023.

December 9, 2022

The Net vir Pret Barrydale Puppet Parade and Performance: 18 December 2022

Rehearsals are full steam ahead in Barrydale for the 2022 Puppet Performance and Parade created and produced by members of the CHR and aesthetic education partner, Net vir Pret.

September 19, 2022

Isingqala Samanzi/The Call of Water

The CHR's Ukwanda Puppetry Collectivein collaboration with the Staatstheater Augsburg bring "Isingqala Samanzi/The Call of Water" to the Baxter Flipside Theatre from 22 to 24 September 2022 at 20:00 nightly with a Saturday matinee.

June 14, 2022

Isikhalo Somlambo/Der Ruf des Wassers

The CHR is delighted to announce artists in residence, Ukwanda Puppets Collective's collaborative puppetry performance, will be performing at at the Augsburg Staatstheater in Germany this July.

February 25, 2022

Puppet Walk and Performance at Boschendal’s Plum Harvest Festival

After the great success of the elephant puppet walk at the Boschendal Plum Harvest Festival in 2021, we will be celebrating this year’s festival with giant puppets to raise awareness of the living waters and aquatic life of our planet.

February 23, 2022

In the Press: Buhle Ngaba on CHR Charlotte Maxeke Production

CHR Artist in Residence Buhle Ngaba is writing a screenplay for a groundbreaking puppetry production on the life of Charlotte Maxeke.

February 8, 2022

Spotlight on Documentary

The Documentary Film Project at the CHR is key to rethinking the humanities PhD, incorporating audio-visual content into a reimagining of an aesthetic education.

December 15, 2021

What A Wonderful World

The 2021 Barrydale Puppet Parade and Performance centres on a family living in Barrydale and the connection a young woman has with an ancient indigenous tree, Old Gwarrie, as well as with the wonderful world she calls home.

August 3, 2021

Walking with Amal: When Nights are Dark

“When Nights are Dark” is part of The Walk – a travelling festival of art and hope in support of refugees, with Artistic Direction from Amir Nizar Zuabi and presented by the Jungle, Good Chance, in collaboration with Handspring Puppet Company.