Editor's note

“King Kong”, the South African jazz musical, first toured the country’s major cities in 1959 before moving to London’s West End. Aside from a failed revival attempt in 1979, the musical has been absent for almost 60 years. Gavin Robert Walker explains why the latest production comes at an interesting time given deep political tensions in the country.

Political violence in Kenya stretches back to its colonial past. Often rooted in land grievances and tribal rivalries, in recent decades election-related conflict has also been exacerbated by vigilantes and militias deployed by leaders in their quest for power. Leighann Spencer tracks the history of violence in the country.

Charles Leonard

Arts & Culture Editor

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Andile Gumbi beats down his opponent Given Mkhize in the King Kong musical. John Hogg

King Kong: legendary South African musical returns to a fragmented country

Gavin Robert Walker, Stellenbosch University

The returned musical "King Kong" embodies the germinating seeds of two potential and mutually exclusive South Africa's.

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