The Fall

Synopsis

At the University of Cape Town, a diverse group of students unite to challenge institutional racism and demand the removal of a colonial statue, igniting a nationwide movement for decolonisation and free education.

In 2015, seven students from different backgrounds join the Rhodes Must Fall movement at the University of Cape Town. As they occupy buildings, debate strategy, and confront authority, they grapple with issues of race, gender, class, and identity within their own ranks. Their protest against a statue of Cecil Rhodes expands into a broader struggle against institutional racism, outsourcing of workers, and rising tuition fees, culminating in nationwide student protests for free decolonised education.

Collaboratively devised by the cast, this documentary-style play chronicles the birth of a student movement and its evolution into a national uprising. Through personal narratives, impassioned debates, and powerful protest scenes, The Fall explores the complexities of student activism, the legacy of apartheid in South African universities, and the challenges of building a truly inclusive movement.