A Perspective on the Afrikaaps musical – featuring Quintin Jitsvinger!

Afrikaaps is a storytelling production about language and historical reclaim. It tells stories of identity which are overshadowed by dominant groups during the colonial and post-colonial periods. The voices in the show are authentic and unapologetic, and gives you new feeling for language and identity.

The show ran at theatres and festivals in the Western Cape and in the Netherlands, and was scripted by most of its cast: Quintin Goliath (Jitsvinger), Moenier Adams, Janine van Rooy-Overmeyer (Blaq Pearl), Jethro Louw, Charl van der Westhuizen, Emile Jansen as well as Netherlands collaborators Akwasi Ansah & DEF P.

The show was directed by Catherine Henegan, with musical direction from Kyle Shepherd and Shane Cooper. Drama turge was provided by Aryan Kaganof and Design by Jantjie Geldof and Catherine Henegan.


Today we'll tell the story behind Afrikaaps, featuring one of its cast members Quintin Jitsinger Goliath. Read more below!

Cultsha Kennis: What inspired the creation of Afrikaaps?

Quintin: The production was more of a movement to reclaim the Afrikaans language for all who speak it, not just the so-called “white-Afrikaner”, and also to investigate and research its unknown creole origins and history at the Cape. In the words of the late Dr. Neville Alexander (Director of the Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa – PRAESA) who also supported Afrikaaps: “I believe that if we can all acknowledge the creole histories, and the black and “coloured” contribution to the language, it would be a great step forward for equality in our country. We need to recognise Afrikaans as part of the heritage of all South Africans, and not only of one particular racial group. Together we can make Afrikaans a language of liberation!” 

    Cultsha Kennis: What seed did you hope to plant with this show?

Quintin: Afrikaaps desires to educate audiences about its history, and to leave a sense of healing and pride and empowerment through the information and overall content of the production. There’s still a huge need to discuss the re-narration of contemporary South African history and its future especially in the areas of identity and empowerment where mother tongue speakers fall outside of the dominant spoken languages in South Africa.

Cultsha Kennis: What personal and political lessons have you learnt during the making and performance of this production?

Quintin: The experience galvanized me as vernacular poet and MC, deepened my love for researching my true history and culture. Jethro took me on my first international experience back in 2007 to Taiwan where I felt the importance of being an ambassador for my country and people. We are still doing work together and look forward to the next mission!

Cultsha Kennis: Where in South Africa and around the world has this musical toured?

Quintin: We've performed at the Baxter and Artscape Theatre in Cape Town and at the Klein-Karoo Nationale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn. We also toured various cities in the Netherlands, like Amersfoort, Den Haag, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Haarlem, Nijmegen.

Cultsha Kennis: Who have you learnt from the most during this show?

Quintin: I was inspired by Bliksemstraal, Kyle Shepherd, Monox… basically the whole ‘dream team’ of Afrikaaps!

Cultsha Kennis: Tell us about the Afrikaaps DVD.

Quintin: The DVD was directed by Dylan Valley. The DVD uses the theatre production as a thread running throughout, while profiling the main performers and how they came to participate in the project. It explores each performer’s personal narrative within the story of the Afrikaans language. Through these different character vignettes, the various areas in Cape Town where the performers are from are revealed, and in so doing, giving the viewer a sense of how and where Afrikaans is spoken in Cape Town today.

***Do you want to see Quintin Jitsvinger in action? Buy tickets to see his 'Smoortjies en Smoothies' show at the Artscape Theatre 
Show dates and times:
23 and 24 June 2017 at 7pm                         24 June 2017 at 3pm 



See more on Afrikaaps:

'Like' the Afrikaaps page:


What is Afrikaaps?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVpBHcR1_tU

Afrikaaps the documentary trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYifENqE3hU

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