Litnet

Damon Galgut's The Promise directed by Sylvaine Strike at The Star Theatre, District Six from 16 September to 6 October 2023

Naomi Meyer talks to Chuma Sopotela about her role in The promise.

Chuma, you play the role of Salome from Damon Galgut’s book The promise. Salome is the houseworker in the book. What was your first reaction when you heard that you were going to play this role?

I think the first reaction was disbelief and excitement. I had come across the work of Damon as a part-time lecturer and acting coach at UCT. I was looking for a play to direct my students in for their end of year play. I actually dreamed my way to his text of Echoes of anger, which he wrote in the late ’80s. I was absolutely mesmerised by his writing and thrilled that I had come across it. I was then invited to a book reading of The promise and was gifted a copy of it by Damon himself. This was about two years ago, in 2021. I didn’t know I would ever play Salome; I hadn’t thought I would ever meet Damon and share a story with him in person, but I just am in awe of how this life has worked out and has brought me here to be part of the telling of the story of The promise in its different form.

What is your experience like, being this character – in the skin of this houseworker, Salome – when you read the script or rehearse for the show?

It is a challenge and it is a blessing. It’s challenging because of the emotional weight the character carries, because of her role as a houseworker. I have never been a houseworker, but I can relate to the character – from part of my responsibilities as an artist and performer – as a “space holder”: someone who holds space for people, either in grief or distress, or just in enabling them to be themselves and being able to thrive. I hold this responsibility as very dear to me; even though it is not always easy, it all becomes worth it.

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I have never been a houseworker, but I can relate to the character – from part of my responsibilities as an artist and performer – as a “space holder”: someone who holds space for people, either in grief or distress, or just in enabling them to be themselves and being able to thrive.

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Is this play something many South Africans can relate to? While playing this role, does it feel like real life or does it feel as if it is “just a story”?

It is as real as life can be. It’s about death and sorrow, but it’s also about the human spirit that just strives to continue. It’s about care and caring for one another, but it is also about self-preservation and not being able to go over the other side of the “fence”. It’s a play about fear and how it stops us from being there for one another out of fear of exposing ourselves. It’s a play about land and how important it is – that people hold on to it and keep it till their death.

It is also about how some people have no land, and is therefore about loss, belonging and identity. It’s about the past and its injustices and injuries that affect the present. It’s about those who’ve had to endure the pains of the past and those who were at the backs of others. It’s about the backs that have now bent and the burden it is to build us back again, so we may be able to sit and stand up straight and confront what is opposed to us. It’s a play about dignity and about holding on. It’s a play about love.

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It’s about the backs that have now bent and the burden it is to build us back again, so we may be able to sit and stand up straight and confront what is opposed to us. It’s a play about dignity and about holding on. It’s a play about love.

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Do you think a theatre play can change anything? Will it make people look differently at life, in your opinion?

Yes, definitely, it has already changed us as the actors. We are definitely not the same people we were when we came and started this process. The play has affected us immensely. There will always be resistance; as I’ve said, people are afraid of change and changing, because sometimes they are scared that they will lose who they are. I think people who want to change will change, and people who want to grow will grow; but they have to want it first, and I think the role of this play is to show why it is important to challenge our minds and our perceptions of who we think we are in the world and what our roles are.

How does this play and being this character, even just by reading the script or rehearsing for the play, change you – in your day-to-day life? 

I have great respect for people who take care of other people’s homes – the responsibility, the care, one has to have. Touching and going through people’s DNA. I hope we treat each other with respect in knowing that we are constantly sharing ourselves with others knowingly and unknowingly – so kindness is key.

Also read:

The promise by Damon Galgut: a book review

A reflection on South Africa’s third Booker Prize winner: The promise by Damon Galgut

Podcast: The promise – Ron Irwin in conversation with Damon Galgut