SPAfrica

SPAfrica is a powerful performance about empathy, extractivism and the intertwining of capitalism and racism. Julian Hetzel and Ntando Cele examine the capacity for empathy and pose the question: what if empathy does not lead to justice, but instead reinforces existing privileges and power structures? In SPAfrica, hidden racism and the problematic nature of empathy are laid bare in a sharp, incisive manner. The project combines emotional and physical resources in an innovative concept. Drinking water from sub-Saharan Africa is imported into Europe as an ‘empathy drink’, while European tears are returned to the source of the water in Africa. The performance raises critical questions about identity and cultural background in the art world: how are these intangible resources utilised as valuable assets? And is trauma the new gold of the arts? Through powerful imagery and social commentary, SPAfrica encourages the audience to reflect on their own position within a world of power, exploitation and cultural capitalisation. The production won the VSCD Directing Award, was selected for the Dutch Theatre Festival, and earned Ntando Cele a nomination for the Theo d’Or.