Gibson Mthuthuzeli Kent (1932-2004)

Mthuthuzeli was born at Duncan Village in Soweto, South Africa. He enrolled in social work at the Jan H. Hofmeyr School of Social Work. in but did not finish the progra because he pursued art. The important lesson of sharing his biography is to show the significance of art in improving social functioning, especially addressing structural barriers. The other lesson is that social work is an art, which can be utilised using several art media to address social problems, issues and challenges.

The wrote more than 20 plays and is known as the Father of Theatre in South Africa. Some of his artistic works include:

Artistic work	Relevance
Manana, The Jazz Prophet, 1963	This was a a play of preacher whose mission was to colonise Africa’s people and Africa’s religion by turning everyone into a Christian.
How Long, 1974	A play banned for challenging colonisation.
Our Believe, 1974	A play banned for challenging colonisation.
Too late, 1974	A play banned for challenging colonisation.
Sekunjalo	A musical.
Mama and the load, 1980	A popular township musical.
The Call, 2003	About a man living with HIV.