A Liverpool Hope University graduate is telling the inspirational story of a political activist who helped pave the way for Nelson Mandela and the liberation of South Africa in a theatre show touring the UK throughout Black History Month.
Forgotten Voices recounts the remarkable life of Eva Moorhead Kadalie, the widow of South Africa’s first national black trade union leader, Clements Kadalie.
The powerful one-woman show, which performs at seven locations this October, stars award-nominated Shareesa Valentine and was written by Eva’s grandson, David Moorhead, who graduated from Hope in 1989 when it was known as Liverpool Institute of Higher Education.
As the founder of the Industrial and Commercial Union (ICU) Clements Kadalie’s activism left an indelible mark on South Africa, but, until now, his wife’s story has gone untold.
Forgotten Voices focuses on Eva’s challenges, joys and sacrifices, charting the life of a strong, resilient woman, whose 30-year fight against racism created a pathway for Mandela and the African National Conference.
For grandson David – a former teacher turned playwright – Eva’s bravery was deserving of the spotlight and he is proud to be able to give a platform to a Black woman.
“It is a marvellous story that has just been forgotten,” he said.
“Her husband has a statue in the Long Walk to Freedom Park in South Africa, where there are 400 people who have been recognised for bringing about liberation. My grandmother is not in the history books and she was by his side for 30 years.
“She has been ignored and I thought before I die I want to tell her story for my children.
“I think it is important women of colour are acknowledged this month. Often history is a man’s world. History is his story and we need to readdress that.
“It is a one-woman piece because I felt if I had other characters she would be overshadowed again. There are sacrifices she had to make, quite difficult ones, and her mental health was affected by those sacrifices.
“It is important to present real stories of people and this play examines what it’s like to be in a struggle for freedom.”
Directed by Margaret Connell, Forgotten Voices begins in 1956, when Eva is considering leaving South Africa.
It spans a turbulent time in the country’s history, highlighting the experiences of the 1919 dock strike at Cape Town, the creation and growth of the ICU, and the passing of the 1927 Native Administration Act, which made it illegal to challenge white rule.
Eva would eventually relocate to London and David has fond memories of the holidays he spent with someone he identified as different to many people of that era.
“She was incredibly glamourous, very well read and very politically aware” he added.
“She was a really inspiring person and quite unlike lots of people of that time. I feel she is there with us each time we perform and I hope she is looking down and is very proud.
“The play has got such good feedback. It has difficult truths in it and people have said it has given them something to think about.”
Forgotten Voices premiered to rave reviews in Manchester last year and has now embarked on a national tour to coincide with UK Black History Month.
The tour opened with performances in Birmingham, Manchester, the Lake District, Cambridge and London and it now heads to the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot and the Storyhouse in Chester.
Find out more and how you can book tickets on the official website.