South African Stories Come Alive at Egrek’s Speakeasy – The weather is gloomy, but not even bad conditions can dampen the atmosphere at Speakeasy Sessions, courtesy of Stark Raving and Egrek. Upon entering Egrek Cinema, the energy is calm and intimate. Guests quietly mingle as snacks rest on a black silk tablecloth. Within minutes of exchanging pleasantries, Kimberleigh Stark offers shots of tequila and whiskey. She is impossible to miss, her presence felt before she formally introduces herself.
An obscure jazz record hums softly in the background. Nearby, Mandla Jwara runs through his lines despite mentioning an upset stomach earlier, possibly nerves or dedication. As time passes, quiet mingling turns into animated conversations, purposeful networking, and louder laughter. Within twenty minutes, the room feels alive. Mo Malele opens the evening with a poem from her album, delivering a passionate performance rooted in Afrocentric ideals and a vision for South Africa’s future. Her conviction sets the tone.
Mingling, networking and Laughter
Cayla Simpson follows with a song, transforming the cinema into her own Broadway stage and showcasing strong vocal control capped with a powerful final note. Emmanuel Mthethwa delivers a poetic performance inspired by GZA, weaving sharp rhymes with pop culture references including Mariah Carey, Margot Robbie, and Siya Kolisi. Nombulelo Mhlongo performs an original song, her rich tone smooth as honey. Her voice washes over the venue. She moves between English and her mother tongue, effortlessly reaching into an impressive falsetto.
Janina Posadowski presents a monologue about spending Valentine’s Day alone, before the event transitions into the cinema space an hour later. The shift introduces darker themes, replacing light-hearted performances with emotionally heavy monologues. Mo Malele returns with her “Why I Write” visual from My Country Needs Me. Despite technical difficulties midway, the emotional impact remains intact once the full piece is shown. Traci Scerri delivers a chilling monologue. A grieving mother dismissed as unstable after losing her twin daughters in a fire. Mauren Ngobeni follows with a haunting portrayal of betrayal and rage, recounting a woman’s descent after discovering her husband’s infidelity, still wearing the 9-carat ring he gave her.
Samela Tyelbooi’s meta monologue reflecting on two decades in the acting industry provides relief. This ends with a childhood lie she calls her first “sold” story. Janina Posadowski returns with “The Girl in the Yellow Dress” and the haunting audio-only “The Christmas Crash.” Mandla Jwara closes confidently with a short monologue and swift exit. Though I left early, Stories & Soul proved to be an intimate and powerful showcase of South Africa’s local creative talent.
