Beggared in SA, a one-man play performed by Sean Higgs and directed by Gideon de Wet, is set to appear at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda (30 June – 3 July 2025) and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August.
The production tells the true story of a white South African man whose life of privilege unravels, leading him to homelessness and, unexpectedly, to a renewed understanding of humanity in a township setting.
“The premise is based on a true story of a white South African man educated at a good school who was born in the sixties,” says De Wet. “His life of privilege comes to an end and he ends up sleeping rough, using a begging board at a traffic light to survive. He moves into a township, renting a shack for a small consideration. His racist indoctrination is challenged by the spirit of Ubuntu that exists in the township, and he learns that those with very little in material terms are far more accommodating of his humanity than the so-called privileged society from which he fell.”
The production, which blends dark humour and raw honesty, explores themes of class, race, fragility and resilience.
To help fund the upcoming tour, the team has launched a fundraising campaign to assist with travel, accommodation, venue hire, marketing and production costs.
Upcoming Performances:
- National Arts Festival, Makhanda
30 June – 3 July 2025
Book tickets here - Edinburgh Festival Fringe – The Bowlers Rest
1–23 August 2025
(Performances every Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
How to Support:
Donations can be made at:
www.beggaredinsa.co.za/support
or via GoFundMe:
www.gofundme.com/f/beggared
Follow the production’s journey:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571455144108
Website: https://beggaredinsa.co.za
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