Since the origin of the Klein Libertas Theatre in 1960 it has been established as one of Stellenbosch’s cultural pillars and this role was expanded in the nineties into a strong community-oriented role. Presently it is not only known as an established theatre which produce exceptional quality work, but also as a reliable institution for the producing of educational productions for all ages that tours throughout the province.
The theatre building of this cultural pillar and community theatre of Stellenbosch (South Africa) and surroundings was destroyed by a devastating fire during the early hours of 13 June 2015. The fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. Although the theatre currently has no building out of which it can operate, the community work and educational shows continues as usual. But unfortunately, we cannot create as much work for artists as before.
What's on
Tienertoneelfees
Since 2005, the theatre has presented the Klein Libertas Theatre “Tienertoneelfees” in August. This annual festival offers learners a unique performance opportunity because they do not receive such intensive feedback from professional theatre practitioners at any other festival. The aim of the festival is to improve the quality of participants’ work, to encourage and recognise them and to stimulate Afrikaans writing.
Three professional theatre practitioners judge the productions and give thorough feedback to the groups after each performance. Deserving participants receive certificates and at the end of the festival, trophies are presented to the overall winners in the various categories at the awards ceremony. The best production of the festival receives the theatre’s coveted “wisseltrofee” and also gets the opportunity to perform at the next “Suidoosterfees”. The judges at this year’s (2025) festival were Marion Holm, Leatitia Solomons and Oscar Petersen (with Carien Punt in the photo).
The 2025 winners were Hoërskool Parel Vallei with their production “Boet en Saartjie”. Pictured with Mawande Ndywamba, director of KLT, are Jaques Joubert, William Le Roux, Carli Erasmus and Andus van Rooyen.
Paul Roos’ “Raap” also walked away with the trophy for Best Make-up.
interactive theatre
“Oom Shakes leer skoonmaak” was commissioned by the Cape Winelands District Municipality to provide information to learners regarding hygiene, recycling, and safety when serving food. From February to the end of April 2026, a total of 65 performances will be performed at schools in the Stellenbosch, Drakenstein, Langeberg, Breede Valley, and Witzenberg areas.
Depending on the language of the learners, the performances are done in Afrikaans, English, or isiXhosa.
The actors in the 2026 production are (back, left to right): Jurgen McEwan, Dean van der Ventel, Kgahliso Matloga, Lukhona Mkunyana, Aviwe Ngabom, and (front, left) Noxolo Bodlani. Also in the photo is Carien Punt, who has been the project manager and secretary since 2005 and who took the community theatre under her wing.
Audio drama
A competition for a radio drama text was advertised on the Klein Libertasteater’s website and Facebook page. Out of the 5 entries, Martyn le Roux’s text, Dryfhout, was announced as the winner. Because he has been writing radio dramas for RSG regularly for years and also has a lot of experience directing recordings, he was also appointed as director. The Klein Libertasteater is particularly pleased that this project was also able to create work for two blind people: the man who handled the sound recording and the actress who played the role of Belinda. This audio drama was also broadcast on Valley FM (a radio station in Worcester) on 24 February 2022. The recording is 1h 42 min long.
From the pen of multi-award-winning author Martyn le Roux, comes a story of three people and a dog that will stay with you for a long time…
DRYFHOUT – DIE VERHAAL. Life first gives you the test…then it teaches you the lesson after that… Three homeless people and a dog with long ears are thrown together by circumstances. They decide to walk to Cape Town from Johannesburg. No one knows why James Harris gave up his life as a lecturer at SU to live the life of a tramp. A beautiful fox-haired woman trying to escape her past joins him and his friend, Ziggy Swiegelaar (Swiegers), a veteran of the long road, who worked in a mine somewhere and now has the “big flu”. As the story progresses, they each reveal their past and wisdom.
Everyone runs away from something in their life…but at some point you have to stop running and find your direction again and everyone has their own that works for him or her…