The representation of apartheid system of government in Athol Fugard’s Sizwe Bansi Is Death

Abstract

The research assessed “The Representation Apartheid System of Government in Athol Fugard’s Sizwe Bansi is Death”. The research employed Post-Colonial Theory for the study’s framework analysis and utilized qualitative method of data collections through Content-Analysis that make use of the play Sizwe Bansi is Dead couple with the adoption of textual technique process to dissect the play. Other sources of knowledge such as published books, journals and online materials were utilized as secondary data. The study adopted Purposive Sampling method to focus on the play while a thematic method was used to analyze information studied. The study found that the author Athol Fugard make use of multiple dramatic methods that include flashback technique, separation effect method, method of story-within-a-story, minor sets and props technique that were all compressed by utilizing small cast hence cost effective. The research therefore conclude that the play Sizwe Bansi is Death as authored by Athol Fugard is a political protest best applied through theatre and art ignoring violence as means to achieve political change in African environment. The play is considered a success as it has spread the message all over the world. To this effect, the study recommend that contemporary African writers should endeavor to adopt and utilize theatre art effectively as an avenue of exposing government policies that encourages racial segregation, ethno-religious discrimination that engender disharmony and disaccord among multi-ethnic and racial settings in Africa and Nigeria alike.