NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH BY: JOHN KANI

CHARACTERS

SIPHO THEMBA THANDO MANDISA LUVUYO

SIPHO Father to Thando Brother to Themba Assistant Librarian Wants to be Chief Librarian yet doesn’t get the position- he is too old to get the job but not too old to vote. Wanted to be a lawyer when he was younger but not given the opportunity because of racism.

Sipho is a librarian, a keeper of histories, stories. He reveals the past, he wants his stories to be heard, he wants the truth revealed- about Themba and about his sons death. He feels, even in death his brother is still taking from him. He raised Thando as his own even though she may be Themba’s daughter. Sipho is now father to both children.

WHAT DID THEMBA TAKE FROM SIPHO? His wire bus, Sipho’s father made him give it to Themba, even though Themba had many toys of his own- he went on to destroy it by letting a bus run over it. It meant nothing to Themba, but alot to Sipho. Sipho says that Themba took it only because it was Sipho’s. The wire bus is a symbol of care and love- that Themba destroys. Sipho’s blazer.

Sipho’s university education- their father could not pay for Sipho, but later on he cashed in a life insurance to pay for Themba to go to university. Sipho’s money- Sipho supported Themba while he studied- he did a three year course in four years and then did not get a job afterwards. Their fathers love- Their father made it very clear that Themba was his favourite. He even blames Sipho when Themba goes into “exile” saying he should have stopped him.

Their fathers funeral- Themba turns this solemn occasion into a political rally. Delegates were the first to throw sand on the coffin, Sipho and other relatives were pushed to the back and given no priority. Luvuyo- Sipho blames Themba partly for his sons death- because Sipho was trying to be like Themba- a “hero”. Luvuyo and Sipho had a fight just before Luvuyo left for the funeral, Sipho didn’t want him to go, he knew there would be trouble but Luvuyo went anyway , saying “ Uncle Themba is right, you are a coward”.

Sipho’s wife- Sipho walked in on his wife and Themba in bed together Sipho’s wife- Sipho walked in on his wife and Themba in bed together. This is the last time he sees either of them alive. His daughter- Thando is possibly Themba’s child. Mandisa also wants Thando to go to London with her- Sipho feels that in a way Themba is still taking from him. Themba also took all the limelight, the glory away from Sipho. Themba was the Struggle Hero, everyone knows him and loves him. Sipho feels dull and boring in comparison. Themba confirms this by telling Mandisa that Sipho is in fact “ dull”.

SIPHO’S REVELATION OF THE TRUTH AT THE END OF THE PLAY IS REPRESENTITIVE OF THE NATIONAL SITUATION.

THANDO Sipho’s daughter ( Possibly) Interpreter at the TRC- Truth and Reconciliation Commission. In Thando’s job she is a tool for the truth to be told and heard- she is a way for stories to be told. Within the family, she is also a tool for the truth to be heard- Her need to know causes Sipho to reveal all his knowledge.

Thando is representative of all the children of those who stayed behind, living in Post-Apartheid South Africa. It is through the character of Thando that Kani is able to get his message across of Reconciliation, because Thando understands the need for the truth in order to forgive and move forward, to rebuild South African society. Thando is also very traditional. She insists on adhering to traditional mourning procedures. She respects her father, looks after him and obeys him.

MANDISA Daughter of Themba. Grew up in London She is a mix of cultures- her mother is from the West Indies, her father south African and she is raised in London. She is a fashion designer- like herself, Mandisa creates new things- she takes elements from different cultures and creates something different. She is very modern, non-traditional. She has modern morals and values. Mandisa is a “catalyst”. By her arrival with Themba’s ashes, her modern ideas and outspoken nature she causes the action of the play to take place.

WHO IS THE REAL HERO??? THEMBA? Society see Themba as the hero- a Struggle activist who did a lot for the rise of democracy. Local opinion is that he was a charismatic leader who brought about change and had to leave due to the threat of being killed by apartheid police.

SIPHO???? Sipho says at the end of the play: That Themba never threw one stone at the police. Never blew up one Police station. He called for stay-aways yet himself was unemployed and was being supported by Sipho. He supported the student school boycott- yet he did not have a child at school. He called for consumer boycotts when he knew who bought the food he ate.

A member of the Workers Executive Committee- yet never had a job. Proposed rent boycott when he did not have his own house. That Themba left the country because of the fact the Sipho found him sleeping with his wife. Sipho represents the ordinary man on the street” during apartheid… he didn’t get any accolades from people yet he walked in the protests in the hot sun and he worked to support his family and thereby uplifted the black nation. SIPHO SAYS THAT THEMBA WAS A GREAT TALKER WHO WAS ONLY AT THESE GATHERINGS BECAUSE IT WAS HIS HUNTING GROUND FOR OTHER PEOPLES WIVES.

IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHO IS THE HERO IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHO IS THE HERO.. BUT WHEN PRESENTING YOUR OPINION YOU MUST CONSIDER WHAT IS SAID IN THE TEXT. REMEMBER MOST OF THE ‘BAD’ THINGS WE HEAR ABOUT THEMBA, COMES FROM SIPHO… THIS IS ONE PERSONS VERSION OF EVENTS.

HOW DOES SIPHO FEEL ABOUT THEMBA? Sipho is obviously angry at his brother for all he has done to him during his life. He is jealous of the love and attention Themba received from their parents and the community. However- Sipho definitely LOVES Themba. He says so in the play. At the end of the play Sipho RECONCILES with Themba, he admits that he was not the cause of Luvuyo’s death. Sipho forgives Themba and is able to move forward.

Sipho admits that Themba was a Struggle Hero to Mandisa at the end. He also admits that Themba would have been killed by the police if he had not left the country.

WHAT IS THE RELEVANCE OF THE TITLE OF THE PLAY??? When people spoke at the TRC they ha to swear to tell: THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. If they did this, then reconciliation could be found, amnesty granted ( Possibly) In the house, Sipho reveals THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BIUT THE TRUTH, and it is because he does this that he is eventually able to forgive Themba, find reconciliation and grants a type of “amnesty” for his brother.