Staff Writer
A PLAY about Athlone Struggle activist Dulcie September, who was assassinated in France, is on at the Baxter theatre from today.
Cold Case: Revisiting Dulcie September is produced and performed by local actress Denise Newman and directed by Basil Appollis. It first played at the National Arts Festival Grahamstown 2014, where it won the Standard Bank Ovation Award.
September, who was vocal about the injustices of apartheid, was imprisoned for five years, then banned for another five years.
She went into exile after her release and worked in the UK and Europe. September was assassinated in France in 1988.
“The story of Dulcie September has stayed with me since that fateful day, March 29, 1988, when we heard of her death. It was a time when many anti-apartheid activists were being targeted. There was madness and anger,” Newman said.
Newman said storytelling was her passion.
“Here was a woman who hailed from Athlone, like me, went to Athlone High School, like me, and was born in August, like me.
“The mystery of her death silenced her voice and I felt compelled to tell her story to the new generation so we remember the contribution of others while we enjoy the 20 years of democracy,” she said.