A new one-person play exploring the public career and private life of anti-apartheid activist, survivor, and Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs opens at the Baxter Studio in Cape Town from October 13 to 31, 2026.
Written by Gail Louw and directed by Fiona Ramsay, Albie Sachs: Fathers, Sons and Soft Vengeance stars Graham Hopkins in the solo role.
Described as “poetic, intimate and deeply human,” the production offers a “portrait of an idealistic young activist, wounded survivor, devoted father and philosophical elder”.
Graham Hopkins as Albie Sachs.
Sachs’ lifelong commitment to justice began at the age of 17, when he joined demonstrations against apartheid.
His activism eventually led to exile and a 1988 assassination attempt in Maputo, Mozambique, where a car-bomb placed by apartheid-era security forces left him with severe injuries, including the loss of an arm and the sight in one eye.
The play explores his journey of physical recovery alongside his core belief in “soft vengeance”.
The production frames this philosophy as “the idea that achieving a free and democratic society, founded on human rights and justice, represents a victory over oppression,” effectively “replacing the desire for bitter retribution”.
Director Fiona Ramsay noted that bringing his story to the stage offers “rich emotional and dramatic terrain” for the creative team.
“His story is both epic and intimate – spanning resistance, loss, recovery and fatherhood,” Ramsay said.
“It captures not only what happened to Sachs and what he did but also who he is: his moral vision, emotional resilience, and unwavering idealism.”
She added that Sachs remains “an inspiring figure who overcame great odds”, predicting that “the audience will leave not just with knowledge but feeling transformed by the experience”.
Performances take place at 8pm Mondays to Saturdays, with Saturday matinees at 3pm. Bookings are open online via Webtickets and in-store at Pick n Pay.
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