The Art Cave

🎭THE ART CAVE DOES IT AGAIN🎭 After an unforgettable 2025 season, The Art Cave is proud to return as the curator of the Kippies Fringe Programme at the Market Theatre for 2026. Last year we witnessed fearless storytelling, bold experimentation and artists who truly ran the show. This year, we open the doors once again for a new wave of creatives ready to take the stage. If you have a live performance idea that is daring, intimate and alive, this is your invitation. Whether it’s spoken word, stand-up comedy, music, poetry, or fringe theatre - Kippies is a space to test work, challenge form, and connect with audiences at one of South Africa’s most iconic theatre homes. Only 12 slots will be selected for the 2026 season. This is more than a performance opportunity, it’s a platform for voices that refuse to wait for permission. We warmly invite creatives from across the country to step forward and Just Run The Show. Applications close 19 April 2026 Visit www.markettheatre.co.za for details and submissions. The future of theatre doesn’t wait. It begins at the fringe. Click the Link on our Bio to apply! #JustRunTheShow #KippiesFringe #TheArtCaveZA #MarketTheatre #FringeTheatre

📢 APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED🚨 Due to the overwhelming number of applications received, The Art Cave has decided to close applications for the Programme & Administration Internship with immediate effect, earlier than the previously announced closing date of 17 April. We are truly grateful for the incredible interest and enthusiasm shown by everyone who took the time to apply. The response has been inspiring and reminds us of the vibrant community of young creatives and arts administrators eager to contribute to the cultural sector. To all applicants who have submitted their applications, thank you. Please keep an eye on your emails as we begin the review process and will be in touch with shortlisted candidates soon. We appreciate your interest in being part of The Art Cave’s journey as we continue building platforms for collaboration, experimentation and artistic play. #TheArtCave #ArtsInternship #ArtsAdministration #CreativeOpportunities

FIVE (5) NOMINATIONS FOR THE ART CAVE AT THE NALEDI THEATRE AWARDS 2026. 🎭 Following a milestone year in 2025, where The Art Cave marked 5 years of existence, we are deeply honoured to see work that has passed through our platforms recognised on this stage. Over the past year, we had the privilege of curating the Fringe Programme at The Market Theatre’s Kippies stage, while also presenting the 4th edition of the Yes Let’s Experimental Festival in collaboration with the Market Theatre Laboratory - two spaces committed to bold, unconventional storytelling and the spirit of independent theatre. We are grateful to @markettheatre for opening the doors of Kippies to independent artists, and to the @marketlaboratory for their continued collaboration in nurturing the Yes Let’s Experimental Festival @yesletsfest This year, productions and artists from these platforms have received the following nominations: 🏆 BEST FRINGE PRODUCTION • uX-Onga = Solveki (Yes Let’s Experimental Festival) • Faces (Kippies Programme) 🏆 BEST PERFORMER IN A FRINGE PRODUCTION • Nolwazi Qwabe - IsiWula • Vuyelwa Maluleke - The Blue Album • Thobeka Manana - Thandeka All three performer nominations come from productions presented within The Art Cave’s Kippies Programme. We are incredibly proud of these artists and their work, which continues to push the boundaries of independent theatre. Congratulations to all the nominees, and thank you to every artist, collaborator, partner, and audience member who continues to believe in the vision of The Art Cave. Independent Theatre • Bold Voices • New Stories #NalediAwards #TheArtCave #IndependentTheatre #FringeTheatre #SouthAfricanTheatre 🎭

Isjimbo Sethu, signing out.🫂 #isjimbosethu #theatre #yesletsfestival #markettheatrelaboratory #fyp

🌸 Happy International Women’s Day 🌸 Today we celebrate the strength, creativity, and power of women across the world. As we honour this day, we are proud to take our final curtain call for our first production of the year, an all-female-led production. Isjimbo Sethu has been driven by the vision, creativity, and leadership of powerful women in theatre, shining a spotlight on stories that deserve to be seen and heard. As part of celebrating this special day, we invite you to join us for the final performance of this beautiful and thought-provoking production. 🎭 Closing Show Today 📍 Ramolao Makhene Theatre 🕒 3PM 🎟 Tickets: R130 🔗 Link in bio Come celebrate women, storytelling, and the magic of theatre with us one last time. #InternationalWomensDay #IsjimboSethu #WomenInTheatre #YesLetsFest #TheArtCaveProduction

Final show tomorrow. 3pm at the Ramolao Makhene Theatre. It's a date🫂 Tickets in bio!

MEET THE ISJIMBO SETHU CAST Mamokone Lebethe @lebethemakone (Playing Lwazi & Bab'Mathemba) About Mamokone Lebethe Mamokone Lebethe is a versatile creative artist whose work spans theatre, film, presenting, poetry, and voice performance. She is currently pursuing a degree in Theatre and Performance, majoring in Performance Studies and Writing. She has established herself as a performer in theatre productions including First Accused (dir. Emihle Maliwa), Lefifi la Thlahoga, and others. She also showcased her physical theatre abilities in the production Ingrate. Beyond the stage, Mamokone has expanded her work into film and television, making her debut on the M-Net telenovela Legacy. She has since appeared in various television and commercial projects, continuing to grow her presence across different performance platforms Catch her amazing performance on Isjimbo Sethu which runs until Sunday at Ramolao Makhene Theatre Tickets: R130 🔗 Link in bio A Yes Let’s Experimental Festival production by The Art Cave @_art_cave in collaboration with The Market Theatre Laboratory @marketlaboratory . #MeetTheCast #IsjimboSethu #YesLetsFest #TheArtCaveProduction

MEET THE ISJIMBO SETHU CAST Nosihle Sinethemba Ngidi @nosi_ngidi (Playing Scelo & Magriza) About Nosihle Sinethemba Ngidi Nosihle Sinethemba Ngidi is a 21-year-old emerging theatre performer and a fourth-year Theatre and Performance student at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). She began her stage journey in 2023 during her first year at Wits, performing in the production Eternal Peace. In 2025, she continued developing her craft through productions such as Ba re, First Accused, and Isjimbo Sethu. Passionate about storytelling and performance, Nosihle continues to explore theatre as a space for creativity, expression, and reflection. Find her amazing performance on Isjimbo Sethu at The Ramolao Makhene Theatre which runs until Sunday! 🎟 Tickets: R130 🔗 Link in bio A Yes Let’s Experimental Festival production by The Art Cave @_art_cave in collaboration with The Market Theatre Laboratory @marketlaboratory . #MeetTheCast #IsjimboSethu #YesLetsFest #TheArtCaveProduction

🚨 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! 🚨 Earlier this morning, Zintle Zimba @zintle_zimba.x the Writer & Director of Isjimbo Sethu was live on @talkradio702 with @gugsm on The Weekend Breakfast Show, sharing insights about the making of this powerful production. If you didn’t catch the interview, here’s the full interview! We Only have 3 shows left! Today at 3PM & 7PM Closing Show – Tomorrow at 3PM Tickets: R130 🔗 Link in bio Come experience this moving and thought-provoking story about brotherhood, the hood, and the journeys of young boys navigating their world. A Yes Let’s Experimental Festival production by @_art_cave in collaboration with @marketlaboratory Don’t miss it. #IsjimboSethu #YesLetsFest #TheArtCaveProduction #SupportLocalTheatre

THREE MORE SHOWS TO GO, SEE YOU LATER. GET YOUR TICKETS IN BIO FOR ONLY R130 #isjimbosethu @#yesletsfestival #artcave #fyp #markettheatrelaboratory

MEET THE ISJIMBO SETHU CAST Siphesihle Mthembu @siphesihlemthembu_ (Playing Sam) About Siphesihle Mthembu Siphesihle Mthembu is a 21-year-old emerging theatre practitioner currently studying Performance and Applied Drama and Theatre at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). In 2024, Siphesihle performed in Isjimbo Sethu, directed by Zintle Zimba, as part of the Yes Let’s Experimental Festival at the Market Theatre Laboratory, collaborating with young artists while exploring contemporary South African storytelling. She has also appeared in several Wits Theatre productions, including Qhawula (dir. Naledi Tsolo) and an adaptation of First Accused (dir. Emihle Maliwa) Passionate about community engagement, Siphesihle is particularly interested in Applied Drama and community theatre, working with children and young people and using theatre as a tool for education, empowerment, and storytelling. Catch her stand out Performance on Isjimbo Sethu at Ramolao Makhene Theatre which runs until Sunday. Tickets: R130 🔗 Link in bio A Yes Let’s Experimental Festival production by The Art Cave @_art_cave in collaboration with The Market Theatre Laboratory @marketlaboratory . #MeetTheCast #IsjimboSethu #YesLetsFest #TheArtCaveProduction

MEET THE ISJIMBO SETHU CREATIVE TEAM Philangezwi “King SMS” Nxumalo @kingsmszwide (Co-Director & Producer) About Philangezwi "King SMS" Nxumalo Philangezwi Nxumalo, also known as King SMS, is a playwright, actor, director, musician, and storyteller from KwaZulu-Natal, originally from KwaMhlabuyalingana. He trained at City Varsity, the Market Theatre Laboratory, and the Duma Ndlovu Academy. As an actor, he has appeared in productions including Shakespeare’s Macbeth Multilingual, Spirit of Shakespeare in Africa, Wake Up South Africa, Woza Albert, and My Children! My Africa!. He has also performed in Naledi Award–winning productions Eclipsed and No Easter Sunday for Queers, and appeared as the lead in a Sebenza WiFi commercial. He made his directorial debut with I Believe Her at The Joburg Theatre, and his acclaimed one-man show SONDA has toured across South Africa and Zimbabwe. Philangezwi is the Co-Founder of The Art Cave and Co- curator of the Yes Let’s Experimental Festival, creating platforms for emerging and experimental theatre-makers. Beyond theatre, he performs music as King SMS and just released his debut EP Inkosi YobuMnandi: Season 1, blending Kwaito and rap into his signature “Kwaito Flow” sound. Catch his amazing work as a Co-Director on Isjimbo Sethu at The Ramolao Makhene Theatre,Running until Sunday! Tickets: R130 🔗 Link in bio A Yes Let’s Experimental Festival production by The Art Cave @_art_cave in collaboration with The Market Theatre Laboratory @marketlaboratory . #MeetTheTeam #IsjimboSethu #YesLetsFest #TheArtCaveProduction