JOHANNESBURG – The Market Theatre marked its 50th anniversary with a memorable weekend of performances, exhibitions and discussions that celebrated five decades of fearless storytelling, artistic excellence and social change.
Held from 19 to 21 June 2026 at the iconic Newtown venue, the three-day celebration reflected on the theatre’s remarkable journey since opening its doors in 1976 during apartheid. Over the years, The Market Theatre has earned international recognition for producing bold, thought-provoking productions that gave voice to South African stories and challenged injustice.
The anniversary programme featured a special theatrical production, exhibitions, panel discussions, surprise appearances and a commemorative installation honouring the artists, staff, supporters and partners who helped shape the institution over the past five decades. A newly commissioned play also paid tribute to the historic week in June 1976 when the theatre first opened.
Chief Executive Officer of The Market Theatre Foundation, Tshiamo Mokgadi, said the milestone was about much more than celebrating an anniversary. “This was not simply a celebration of a date on the calendar. It was a celebration of 50 years of courageous storytelling, artistic resistance and creating space for authentic South African voices,” Mokgadi said.”As we reflected on our history, we celebrated not only the productions that have graced our stages but also the countless individuals, organisations and corporate partners who have contributed to making The Market Theatre the vibrant cultural institution it is today. This legacy has always been built by people.”
Artistic Director Greg Homann said the anniversary programme honoured both the theatre’s rich history and its future.”The entire weekend celebrated the South African story in all its complexity. We remain committed to ensuring that The Market Theatre continues to be a home for diverse voices and authentic storytelling. That commitment has allowed the theatre to remain resilient, relevant and influential over the past 50 years.”
One of the highlights of the celebrations was Let’s Meet at The Market, a specially created 90-minute multidisciplinary production directed by Clive Mathibe. Through music, dance, spoken word, archival footage and live performance, the production traced the transformation of the former Indian Fruit Market in Newtown into one of the world’s most respected theatres. The programme also included 50 Years Bold, a series of intergenerational discussions in the Barney Simon Theatre. Veteran actors, directors, writers, designers, producers, arts administrators and technical experts engaged with emerging theatre-makers in conversations about artistic legacy, cultural activism, mentorship, innovation and the future of theatre in South Africa.
Visitors also explored The Market Theatre Foundation Exhibition at the Lindelani Buthelezi Gallery, where photographs, posters, archival material and rare images documented the institution’s 50-year history. The exhibition highlighted the growth of The Market Theatre and its broader creative family, including The Market Photo Workshop, The Market Theatre Laboratory and The Windybrow Arts Centre.
As the celebrations came to a close, the anniversary weekend served as both a tribute to The Market Theatre’s remarkable legacy and a reminder of its enduring role in preserving, celebrating and telling South Africa’s diverse stories for generations to come.
