This incisive and engaging series of sketches presents a plethora of voices and perceptions
dissecting contemporary South African society. It is a rich feast of theatrical material for any
actor wanting to stretch their capacities and a must-buy for every drama teacher wanting to
challenge their students.
— Yvette Hardie, President of ASSITEJ, International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People

Educators mentoring young actors developing their talents and honing their skills relish
in Van Graan’s plays. The monologues are accessible, challenging and prophetic voices of
authentic, everyday characters, courageously observing, witnessing and expressing our
collective South African psyche.
— Renos Nicos Spanoudes, award-winning actor, director and playwright, and head of the Department of Dramatic Arts, King David High School, Victory Park

Van Graan delights in this dynamic collection of sketches, comedy monologues and oneperformer
scenes. His texts possess a ‘curious’ tone, one well-crafted over many years, and
a sheer joy to witness on a page. … The collection is scathing, kind, introspective, superficial,
crass, genuine, fantastical, playful, serious, funny and, at all times, it prioritizes who we are,
and who we are becoming. A true gem.
— Jefferson Bobs Tshabalala, artist, businessman, teacher and Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, 2020

Bafana Republic and Other Satires is a selection of monologues from a series of one-person satirical revues. Using the 2010 FIFA World Cup as an entry point for satirical commentary, the sketches focus on various issues facing democratic South Africa: state ‘vanity’ projects, land issues, abuse of women and state capture. In any deeply polarised society, satire provides an effective means for challenging audiences. Van Graan’s potent mix of comedy, poetry and drama compels audiences to reflect on controversial topics in a non-alienating, thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining way.
The collection tackles themes of corruption, colonialism, violence against women, AIDS denialism, violent crime, racism and inequality head on. Readers or audience members cannot remain unaffected by the use of humour, exaggeration, irony and ridicule in the sketches to highlight social and political issues and human foibles. They will laugh and cringe and sometimes cry, but ultimately they will appreciate more deeply the beauty and humanity of their country, and perhaps feel recharged with hope.
The sketches in the collection come from six one-person revues: Bafana Republic (2007), Bafana Republic: Extra Time (2008), Bafana Republic: Penalty Shootout (2009), Pay Back the Curry (2016), State Fracture (2017) and Land Acts (2018). The compilation can be used as monologues for exam purposes or as acting exercises for drama students, or selections can be made from the sketches to make up one-person shows of varying lengths.

Introduction
Outline of sketch characters, themes, background and context
Glossary of terms and translations
Acronyms

Play 1: Bafana Republic (2007)
Sketch 1: Interview with the CEO of the South African Football Association
Sketch 2: Chardonnay
Sketch 3: PAHAD representative
Sketch 4: Bhamjee
Sketch 5: Kabouter Basson
Sketch 6: Bafana Idols

Play 2: Bafana Republic: Extra Time (2008)
Sketch 1: World Cup ambassador, Hayi Buti
Sketch 2: Reality show medley
Sketch 3: American and Frenchie on safari
Sketch 4: AA on-screen fillers
Sketch 5: A man’s game
Sketch 6: ABC take-out
Sketch 7: Security chief
Sketch 8: Bafana election fever
Sketch 9: Vuvuzela salesman
Sketch 10: Whinge
Sketch 11: Stand-up comic

Play 3: Bafana Republic: Penalty Shootout (2009)
Sketch 1: Toilet cleaner
Sketch 2: Estate agent 1
Sketch 3: False prophet
Sketch 4: Madonna of Africa
Sketch 5: Disabled
Sketch 6: Jimmy Blond
Sketch 7: School for African dictators
Sketch 8: Dog shrink

Play 4: Pay Back the Curry (2016)
Sketch 1: Time travel
Sketch 2: Fly SAA
Sketch 3: Fallism
Sketch 4: And the Oscar goes to …
Sketch 5: Born free
Sketch 6: Weekend special
Sketch 7: I am an African
Sketch 8: Estate agent 2
Sketch 9: So-calleds
Sketch 10: Blame apartheid
Sketch 11: The Met
Sketch 12: Julius
Sketch 13: Rainbow song

Play 5: State Fracture (2017)
Sketch 1: Saxonwold shebeen
Sketch 2: Trumple-thin-Skin
Sketch 3: Chicken shite
Sketch 4: Hello, looter
Sketch 5: Blacks adopted by whites anonymous
Sketch 6: Pastor Hlaudi, the miracle worker
Sketch 7: ABBA medley
Sketch 8: Some black lives matter
Sketch 9: Stand-up on privilege
Sketch 10: The Helen Zille School of Good Colonialism
Sketch 11: Social cohesion
Sketch 12: Social media rollercoaster
Sketch 13: The patriot
Sketch 14: No Zuma, no cry

Play 6: Land Acts (2018)
Sketch 1: Derya Hanekom
Sketch 2: Give me a sign, Julius
Sketch 3: Middle finger for the natives
Sketch 4: McDonald’s farm
Sketch 5: A promise fulfilled
Sketch 6: Car guard
Sketch 7: Australian refuge
Sketch 8: A dog’s life
Sketch 9: What a wonderful world
Sketch 10: Shakespeare in love
Sketch 11: Ode to WaNkandla
Sketch 12: Football match
Sketch 13: Imagine

Mike van Graan is the President of the African Cultural Policy Network and an award-winning playwright with more than 30 plays under his belt. He is currently a Fellow at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) working on his first novel. His work explores the post-apartheid condition through drama and satire, and he is considered one of South Africa’s leading playwrights both for his prolific production and for the number of awards that his work has been nominated for or won.

This incisive and engaging series of sketches presents a plethora of voices and perceptions
dissecting contemporary South African society. It is a rich feast of theatrical material for any
actor wanting to stretch their capacities and a must-buy for every drama teacher wanting to
challenge their students.
— Yvette Hardie, President of ASSITEJ, International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People

Educators mentoring young actors developing their talents and honing their skills relish
in Van Graan’s plays. The monologues are accessible, challenging and prophetic voices of
authentic, everyday characters, courageously observing, witnessing and expressing our
collective South African psyche.
— Renos Nicos Spanoudes, award-winning actor, director and playwright, and head of the Department of Dramatic Arts, King David High School, Victory Park

Van Graan delights in this dynamic collection of sketches, comedy monologues and oneperformer
scenes. His texts possess a ‘curious’ tone, one well-crafted over many years, and
a sheer joy to witness on a page. … The collection is scathing, kind, introspective, superficial,
crass, genuine, fantastical, playful, serious, funny and, at all times, it prioritizes who we are,
and who we are becoming. A true gem.
— Jefferson Bobs Tshabalala, artist, businessman, teacher and Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre, 2020