Students from both A&T and Bennett College starred in a South African play entitled The Drought this past weekend at the Bennett College Theatre.

Jobe, the main character of the work was played by Moses Ochola, a senior international studies major at A&T.

Ochola, a Kenya native, shared his ideas about the play’s overall theme.

“The play is about polygamy, women’s empowerment and the traditional way of life versus the modern way of life. My character, Jobe, represents the traditional way as man being provider for his women. Jobe’s younger brother, Bonechewer, represents the modern man who doesn’t see providing as a necessity,” Ochola said.

The Drought, written by Dr. Bheki Langa tells the story of, Jobe; his three wives Noliwe, Nomusa, and Thandeka; his younger brother Bonechewer and his son Vusumuzi.

In the play, the audience is exposed to what happens to a culture under attack. As time progresses, the main character gets weaker implying that he and his culture are dying while city values collide with African cultural values.

Langa explained the symbolism of the work.

“This play is a symbol for change in cultural values and comes from white oppression of people in South Africa. This cultural collision creates division among the oppressed and reduces black empowerment,” Langa said.

As the story unfolds, it becomes more complex. Each character represents a key component in the destruction and reconstruction of a society. One thing I took away from the play was the importance of adaptation. If we fail to adapt to the changes that take place in our society, then we will not survive.

Everyone played their roles very well. As Dr. Langa said, “The students’ performances were incredible!”

• Paul McGregor