Kessie Govender, was a founding advocate and activist of South African protest theatre. Born in Durban Kwa Zulu Natal, his grandfather came to South Africa as an indentured laborer. His father was a bricklayer and upon leaving school, Kessie also took up this trade.
Kessie’s introduction to creative arts happened as a young Saivite devotee, who participated in local religious tableaus under Guru Subramanian Swamigal the founder of the Saiva Sithanda Sungum in Derby Street Durban. Later he joined his cousin Ronnie Govender, and friend Muthal Naidoo in the start up of the Shah Theatre Academy where his natural talent as an actor saw him take centre stage in many lead roles.
Kessie started writing plays in the 1970s. Over his 30 year career, he wrote, produced, directed and acted in around 15 of his own stage productions, Stable Expense, and Working Class Hero, being two of his most well known pieces. First produced in 1977, Working Class Hero enjoyed a revival in 2001 at Durban's Natal Playhouse to coincide with the world conference against racism. For this conference, a special edition was published by Stable Creative Arts.
In addition to stage plays, Kessie also penned many poems, most of which were directed against the racist socio-political culture of apartheid South Africa. He was invited to recited one of his poems at the Inauguration Ceremony of South Africa's first democratic president - Nelson Mandela. Kessie was also an accomplished painter, his most notable exhibition being that of his Ganesha inspired finger paintings, exhibited at the Durban Documentation Centre in September 2001.
In addition to his theatrical pursuits Kessie Govender played a pivotal role in the transformation of his society through various progressive organisations. Among others, he was a founding member of the Natal Cultural Congress, the Chairperson of the Theatre Alliance of Natal, and Executive member of both the Music Alliance of Natal and the Congress of South African Writers. He was also a board member of the Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC).
Kessie's career accolades include the following:
1994
- Made Honourary Citizen of Louisville, Kentucky (USA
- Invited to recite own poem at the Inauguration of President Nelson Mandela
1989
- Awarded the AA Vita Award, for his Lifelong Contribution to the Arts
1978
- Awarded the Natal Critics Circle Award
1968
- Awarded the National Drama Foundation: Best Director and Best Actor Award
During his lifetime Kessie Govender scripted the following plays, many of which he also produced, directed and acted in:
Stable Expense (1974 and 1991), Tramp –you, Tramp – me (1975), Ravanan (1975), Working Class Hero (1976), The Decision (1977), The Shack (1978), Ka-goos (1979), On the Fence (1981), Black Skies (1984), Underground (1988), I.O.D (Injured On Duty) (1991), God Made Mosquitoes Too (1994)
Alternative Action (1995/6), Herstory (1996).
Kessie’s introduction to creative arts happened as a young Saivite devotee, who participated in local religious tableaus under Guru Subramanian Swamigal the founder of the Saiva Sithanda Sungum in Derby Street Durban. Later he joined his cousin Ronnie Govender, and friend Muthal Naidoo in the start up of the Shah Theatre Academy where his natural talent as an actor saw him take centre stage in many lead roles.
Kessie started writing plays in the 1970s. Over his 30 year career, he wrote, produced, directed and acted in around 15 of his own stage productions, Stable Expense, and Working Class Hero, being two of his most well known pieces. First produced in 1977, Working Class Hero enjoyed a revival in 2001 at Durban's Natal Playhouse to coincide with the world conference against racism. For this conference, a special edition was published by Stable Creative Arts.
In addition to stage plays, Kessie also penned many poems, most of which were directed against the racist socio-political culture of apartheid South Africa. He was invited to recited one of his poems at the Inauguration Ceremony of South Africa's first democratic president - Nelson Mandela. Kessie was also an accomplished painter, his most notable exhibition being that of his Ganesha inspired finger paintings, exhibited at the Durban Documentation Centre in September 2001.
In addition to his theatrical pursuits Kessie Govender played a pivotal role in the transformation of his society through various progressive organisations. Among others, he was a founding member of the Natal Cultural Congress, the Chairperson of the Theatre Alliance of Natal, and Executive member of both the Music Alliance of Natal and the Congress of South African Writers. He was also a board member of the Natal Performing Arts Council (NAPAC).
Kessie's career accolades include the following:
1994
- Made Honourary Citizen of Louisville, Kentucky (USA
- Invited to recite own poem at the Inauguration of President Nelson Mandela
1989
- Awarded the AA Vita Award, for his Lifelong Contribution to the Arts
1978
- Awarded the Natal Critics Circle Award
1968
- Awarded the National Drama Foundation: Best Director and Best Actor Award
During his lifetime Kessie Govender scripted the following plays, many of which he also produced, directed and acted in:
Stable Expense (1974 and 1991), Tramp –you, Tramp – me (1975), Ravanan (1975), Working Class Hero (1976), The Decision (1977), The Shack (1978), Ka-goos (1979), On the Fence (1981), Black Skies (1984), Underground (1988), I.O.D (Injured On Duty) (1991), God Made Mosquitoes Too (1994)
Alternative Action (1995/6), Herstory (1996).