LEGENDARY TV ICON SELLO MAAKE KANCUBE RETURNS TO THE STAGE IN A TIMELY TRIBUTE TO ATHOL FUGARD’S MASTERPIECE

MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS
11 – 28 June | A Powerful Revival for Our Times

Johannesburg, South Africa – Fresh off two sold-out runs at Theatre on the Square (The House of Truth and The Suit), legendary actor Sello Maake KaNcube (Generations, The Queen) returns to the stage in Athol Fugard’s Master Harold…and the Boys—a production that doubles as a tribute to two giants: the late Fugard himself, and the incomparable Zakes Mokae, who originated the very role KaNcube will now inhabit.

Why This Story? Why Now?

Fugard’s masterpiece, set in 1950s apartheid South Africa, exposes how racism poisons even the closest bonds. Today, as political tensions rise and social divisions deepen, this revival asks: How far have we really come?

For KaNcube—a titan of South African screens and stages—this role is both an artistic challenge and a sacred responsibility. "Fugard wrote about the wounds we pretend have healed," he says. "And to step into Zakes Mokae’s footsteps? That’s not just acting—it’s honoring a legacy. This play isn’t history; it’s today’s conversation. And it’s time we had it."

From Sold-Out Shows to a Landmark Revival

KaNcube’s recent triumphs in The House of Truth and The Suit proved his unmatched ability to command a stage. Now, in Master Harold…and the Boys, he brings that same intensity to Fugard’s searing portrait of betrayal and systemic injustice. "Theatre is where we tell the truths TV won’t," he reflects. "This role isn’t just performance—it’s activism."

Joining him are Lebohang Motaung and Daniel Anderson under the visionary direction of Warona Seane, with haunting design by Wilhelm Disbergen. Together, they revive Fugard’s story with an urgency that will leave audiences breathless.

An Event for Every South African

Whether you’ve seen the play before or never stepped inside a theatre, this staging is an invitation to reconnect—with our history, our conscience, and the enduring power of storytelling. For fans of Maake KaNcube’s television and film work, this is a rare opportunity to witness his craft in its most raw and intimate form.

“This is more than just a return to the stage for me,” says Maake KaNcube. “It’s a moment of reflection—for myself and for our nation. It’s about challenging the systems that still echo today, and using theatre to ask difficult questions that we sometimes avoid.  Athol Fugard didn’t just write plays. He held up a mirror to our society. And right now, with everything happening in our country, we need those mirrors more than ever.”

Master Harold… and the Boys runs for a limited season from 11–28 June at the Theatre on the Square, Sandton. Tickets are available via Webtickets. School bookings and post-show discussions are available on request.

Don’t Miss the Conversation

Dates: 11 – 28 June
Tickets: Webtickets | Theatre Box Office
Post-show Q&As: Engage with the cast on select nights

Media Contacts:

• For interviews with Sello Maake KaNcube:
  Kgomotso Phetlhu | 067 316 1618 (calls only)

• For all other enquiries:
  Daphne / Bronwen | 011 883-8606 or 083 377 4969