Sipho Makhaya’s (John Kani) dream is to one day, become the chief librarian. However, the arrival of Tenbo his exiled brother in a jar filled with ashes begins to unearth family secrets that have long been buried. Set in Port Elizabeth, Nothing But The Truth is an in-depth and subtle examination of family, sibling rivalry, truth, justice, forgiveness, reconciliation and the compassion of the human soul when it has been wronged. It mirrors the struggles of Sipho Makhaya’s to come to terms with the injustice he believes he has suffered at the hands of other’s; the loss of his wife, the death of his son and being passed up for a job against the society he lives in.
In the scene leading up to the secrets and lies of the family, Sipho reiterates the words “The taking never stops”, showing his hurt and bruised heart but for the sake of his daughter he has let sleeping dogs lie until this moment when he decides to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Emotionally charged with the pain Sipho and his daughter, Thando have carried for years but never talked about until the arrival of Mandisa Mackay, Tenbo’s daughter. It is equally laced with witty humour. Nothing But The Truth shows the weaknesses in a man that has been pushed too far and can fight back when he gets the courage from within to change his situation. Sipho Makahaya’s family represent the new South Africa and as they come to terms with their issues as a family it gives the audience the opportunity to see how society deals with the ills and atrocities its own people have committed against each other.
Written by John Kani, he also gives an astounding performance resonant with his other works in Sizwe Banzi Is Dead and The Island which catapulted him to international acclaim. His co-stars Motshabi Tyele in the role of Sipho’s daughter (Thando Makhaya) is a playwright and an award winning actress in South Africa. Rosie Motene, Sipho’s niece (Mandisa Mackay) whose other works include Hotel Rwanda and The Other Woman both bring an emotional balance to Sipho’s life which he lost years ago. Janice Honeyman directs a flawless piece which reflects both her and Kani’s understanding of The Truth and Reconciliation Committee in the process of rebuilding a country torn apart by the actions of its own citizens.
Nothing But The Truth is truly a thought-provoking performance of humanity, compassion, justice and freedom. At the same time symbolic of the reconciliation between the old and new South Africa. It reminds the audience about the personal loss of individuals during the apartheid era of South Africa.
A tug of emotions run through as you sit back and want to hear more from the characters because you get the feeling that there is more to come. Though the play could have done with a few more characters to tell us about other families; Nothing But The truth is a delight to watch.
Image: Hampstead Theatre
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