PREVIEW
Question 2: DRAMA
‘TAXI’ by Sibusiso Mamba
In a carefully worded essay of about 1000
– 1200 words (approximately 2 to 3
typed pages), discuss how the playwright
depicts characterisation of Mzee and
Senzo, as well as class differences in the
excerpt below. Your discussion should
include how the playwright uses dramatic
features, poetic devices and/or any other
linguistic strategies. Remember to include
relevant quotations from the excerpt
(passage) to substantiate your arguments.
THE ESSAY:
In the excerpt from Sibusiso Mamba's
play 'TAXI,' the playwright vividly
depicts the characters of Mzee and
Senzo, as well as highlighting class
differences that exist within the South
African society. The playwright
ENG2602 employs several dramatic features and
linguistic strategies to create a clear
picture of the characters and their
personalities.
ASSIGNMENT 3 SEMESTER 2 2023 NATALIE FOXX
, Question 2: DRAMA
‘TAXI’ by Sibusiso Mamba
In a carefully worded essay of about 1000 – 1200 words (approximately 2 to 3 typed
pages), discuss how the playwright depicts characterisation of Mzee and Senzo, as well
as class differences in the excerpt below. Your discussion should include how the
playwright uses dramatic features, poetic devices and/or any other linguistic strategies.
Remember to include relevant quotations from the excerpt (passage) to substantiate your
arguments.
Bear in mind that Taxi is a radio play. Therefore, it would look different from stage and
screenplays. Among some of its salient features are the lines to indicate the scene
number and setting, sound, and special effects.
Context:
This dialogue takes place in a taxi. Mzee is the driver and Senzo is a young Wits
University student and only passenger on board the taxi. They are driving on the freeway
where the traffic is bumper-to-bumper.
SCENE 1
INSIDE MZEE’S MOVING TAXI
MZEE [V/O] I was alone in my taxi. No (beat) I wasn’t alone. Not that morning. You
see, Sometimes I’m alone in the morning. Between halfpast six and half past
nine … if you take passengers from the north of Johannesburg to the city
centre … it is very difficult. The re are too many mini-bus taxis and not
enough passengers. You want a full taxi? You must drive fast! Hho! (beat)
Ja… I like to believe I was alone that morning. I wasn’t. There was a young
man … student from Wits University. He was reading. Lucky boy. Educated.
Not like me. I only went up to Standard Three. I was fourteen when I left
school. The other children were scared of me. I was big. (beat) The morning
is the most difficult time if you drive a taxi. Wena mfana … you don’t know
what you’re talking about.
SENZO HhOK…explain to me nicely. What did you guys gain by being on strike
yesterday?
MZEE Don’t we have a right to be heard? Like other workers?
SENZO You’re afraid the government will make you give a better service. (Mzee
laughs)
MZEE Mara … you can talk nè?! Service? Ha ha …
Question 2: DRAMA
‘TAXI’ by Sibusiso Mamba
In a carefully worded essay of about 1000
– 1200 words (approximately 2 to 3
typed pages), discuss how the playwright
depicts characterisation of Mzee and
Senzo, as well as class differences in the
excerpt below. Your discussion should
include how the playwright uses dramatic
features, poetic devices and/or any other
linguistic strategies. Remember to include
relevant quotations from the excerpt
(passage) to substantiate your arguments.
THE ESSAY:
In the excerpt from Sibusiso Mamba's
play 'TAXI,' the playwright vividly
depicts the characters of Mzee and
Senzo, as well as highlighting class
differences that exist within the South
African society. The playwright
ENG2602 employs several dramatic features and
linguistic strategies to create a clear
picture of the characters and their
personalities.
ASSIGNMENT 3 SEMESTER 2 2023 NATALIE FOXX
, Question 2: DRAMA
‘TAXI’ by Sibusiso Mamba
In a carefully worded essay of about 1000 – 1200 words (approximately 2 to 3 typed
pages), discuss how the playwright depicts characterisation of Mzee and Senzo, as well
as class differences in the excerpt below. Your discussion should include how the
playwright uses dramatic features, poetic devices and/or any other linguistic strategies.
Remember to include relevant quotations from the excerpt (passage) to substantiate your
arguments.
Bear in mind that Taxi is a radio play. Therefore, it would look different from stage and
screenplays. Among some of its salient features are the lines to indicate the scene
number and setting, sound, and special effects.
Context:
This dialogue takes place in a taxi. Mzee is the driver and Senzo is a young Wits
University student and only passenger on board the taxi. They are driving on the freeway
where the traffic is bumper-to-bumper.
SCENE 1
INSIDE MZEE’S MOVING TAXI
MZEE [V/O] I was alone in my taxi. No (beat) I wasn’t alone. Not that morning. You
see, Sometimes I’m alone in the morning. Between halfpast six and half past
nine … if you take passengers from the north of Johannesburg to the city
centre … it is very difficult. The re are too many mini-bus taxis and not
enough passengers. You want a full taxi? You must drive fast! Hho! (beat)
Ja… I like to believe I was alone that morning. I wasn’t. There was a young
man … student from Wits University. He was reading. Lucky boy. Educated.
Not like me. I only went up to Standard Three. I was fourteen when I left
school. The other children were scared of me. I was big. (beat) The morning
is the most difficult time if you drive a taxi. Wena mfana … you don’t know
what you’re talking about.
SENZO HhOK…explain to me nicely. What did you guys gain by being on strike
yesterday?
MZEE Don’t we have a right to be heard? Like other workers?
SENZO You’re afraid the government will make you give a better service. (Mzee
laughs)
MZEE Mara … you can talk nè?! Service? Ha ha …
