Text Me When You Arrive puts to trial the social media trends around gender-based violence and questions the practicality of such hashtags and the ability of the digital space to exert tangible change in the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa.
The play is inspired by the daily plight of women in South Africa, inside their homes and on the streets. In the play, three friends make a YouTube video, advising women on “how to not get raped and killed in South Africa”. The girls take the audience through various rules that will ‘ensure’ their safety and prevent or lessen their chances of being raped. The rules are a combination of the social media hashtags: #StayVigilant #MeToo #AmINext and the things our mothers warned us about.
The play is a satirical, hard-hitting portrayal of the harsh realities of women in our country.
Text Me When You Arrive was devised and written by the cast Aaliyah Matintela, Sibahle Mangena and Thuli Nduvane. The show is directed by Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi. MoMo Matsunyane has served as a Mentor & Contributor on the production.
“We feel that our piece is relevant and relatable but it is sad that even after ten years it will still be relatable – my dream is that this becomes the last time that a play of this nature is ever written or even performed.” – Aaliyah Zama Matintela (cast member).
Trigger warning : Content relating to sexual assault.
VENUE : AFDA Red Roof Theatre, AFDA JHB Campus, 41 Frost Avenue, Milpark.
* This event is part of the IYABUYA iPOPArt Festival, which is supported by the National Arts Council of South Africa PESP funding.
