Anti-Apartheid Icon and Theatre Legend Selaelo Maredi Passes Away, Leaving South African Arts Community in Mourning
Renowned anti-apartheid activist, playwright, actor, producer, and theatre director, Selaelo Maredi, has sadly passed away, leaving the South African arts community in a state of mourning. Maredi, who was widely celebrated for his role as Mahutsana in the classical SABC drama Masakeng, made significant contributions to the arts in South Africa, leaving behind a rich legacy.
Maredi’s dedication to the arts and his unwavering activism against apartheid earned him numerous accolades and recognition throughout his career. In the 1970s, he participated in Workshop ’71, an artistic venture that provided him with a global platform to showcase his talents. His stage play, Survival, toured the world and even made its way to the UN Assembly, where it aimed to rally international support for declaring apartheid a crime against humanity.
Throughout his illustrious career, Maredi graced the stage in various productions, including Crossroads and Marabi under the Junction Avenue Theatre company, as well as The Good Women of Sharkville under the guidance of Janet Smith. While in exile in the United States, Maredi became the artistic director at San Francisco Julian Theatre, sharing the stage with internationally acclaimed stars. He actively joined anti-apartheid movements, advocating for the release of political prisoners, the unbanning of liberation organizations, and an end to apartheid.
Maredi returned to South Africa in 1994 and took up the role of resident director at the Market Theatre, collaborating with the iconic John Kani. In 2003, he became a board member of the Limpopo Performing Arts Network of Southern Africa. Known for his thought-provoking plays, Maredi penned notable works such as Hell, We Can, which received widespread acclaim at prestigious theaters across the country, like the South African State Theatre in Pretoria. The arts community passionately embraced his creations, including The Core, Blankage, Beautiful Things, For Better Not for Worse, and Bound by Love.
Sadly, many elderly artists like Maredi often receive limited recognition and appreciation while they are alive. The Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture tends to deploy its well-oiled publicity machine upon the passing of popular artists. However, the department’s response to the passing of elderly artists has been observed to be more of a public relations stunt, leveraging these moments to enhance its own image.
Selaelo Maredi will be remembered not only as a legend of the arts but also as a fearless activist who used his talent and creativity to fight against injustice. His contributions to theater and his unwavering pursuit of liberation will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of those who had the privilege of experiencing his work.
In honor of Selaelo Maredi’s legacy, the South African arts community pays tribute to his extraordinary talents, applauds his lifelong dedication to the arts, and mourns the loss of a true icon. His passing serves as a reminder of the importance of appreciating artists and their contributions while they are still with us, rather than solely in retrospect.
