There are several ways to approach Stable Theatre:

1. DOWN THE FREEWAY FROM BEREA:
(While it would make sense to follow the signs to the beach, the flyover gets back to ground level virtually outside Stable Theatre. This means that you have to move to the right very quickly across three lanes of traffic which is very dangerous. Best to take the following route)
- come down the freeway
- take the Warwick Avenue glide-off to the left,
- move into the middle lane but you are going to bear to the right
- cross over the traffic lights (going under the freeway)
- move into the right hand lane
- just after the traffic lights where Joseph Nduli (Russell) Street feeds into Johannes Nkosi (Alice) Street from the right, turn into the first Stable Theatre gate

2. FROM MONTY NAICKER / PINE STREET
- Continue up until where the extension of Joseph Nduli (Russell) Street feeds in from the left at the traffic light
- Don’t go up the freeway but go under it and round past Emmanuel Cathedral
- Stay in the right hand lane as you go over the outgoing freeway
- At the traffic lights (T-Junction), turn right into Johannes Nkosi (Alice) Street
- Almost immediately turn right into Stable Theatre’s lower gate #1

3. FROM THE EMBANKMENT
– Turn into Joseph Nduli (Russell) Street and continue over several traffic lights until the freeway. Stay in the middle lane, go over Monty Naicker (Pine) Street and follow round past Emmanuel Cathedral (continuing as per #2)

4. FROM ORDNANCE ROAD (PAST THE ICC)
- Continue on past MacDonalds as if you were going up the Berea
- Continue until you reach the traffic lights at the foot of the new flyover
- Turn right into Joseph Nduli
- Stay in the extreme right hand lane
- At the traffic lights, turn right into Johannes Nkosi (Alice) Street
- Almost immediately right into Stable Theatre’s lower gate #1 .

To provide and promote innovative cultural services which address the need diverse needs of our people in order to enhance their quality of life and promote to tourism initiatives.

The Stable Theatre was the first independent black theatre company in South Africa, founded by the late Kessie Govender (Picture by Val Adamson supplied courtesy of the Playhouse Company) who was a well-known multi-award winning Durban playwright, director and actor.

Kessie Govender (1942 – 2002) was a pioneering voice in South African protest theatre. Born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, his grandfather came to South Africa as an indentured labourer. His father was a bricklayer and, upon leaving school; Kessie also took up this trade.

He launched his Stable Theatre Company with his first play Stable Expense which was produced in the mid-70's, a time when Indians were being relocated to low cost housing in Chatsworth from areas around Durban which had been rezoned for whites only.

This production – and the name of the company itself – formed a scathing comment against the authorities of the time who spent the equivalent of the cost of a stable on a house in Chatsworth. However, the stables were more structurally sound than these badly-constructed dwellings. Basing his public comment on his experience in the building trade, Kessie stated it was an insult expecting people to live in a home of such poor quality.

The Stable Theatre Company moved through a number of venues from its original address in Queen Street.

In the early 90's, Kessie Govender seized on an empty warehouse space opposite the bus terminal and situated between Alice Street (now Johannes Nkosi Street) and the railway lines that run parallel to it. This is where Stable Theatre stands today.

Kessie moved in with his Stable Theatre Company to create a new community art centre and, although the Durban Municipality at the time continually tried to remove him and his organisation from the venue, he claimed squatters' rights and won his case.

Over the years, Stable Theatre has had a chequered history – moving from a thriving community arts centre to a neglected, poorly-run space with a bad reputation. However, it has continued to survive, like the phoenix which is part of the Indian culture that reflects its origins.

The Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism took the Stable Theatre under its wing three years ago and set in motion funding to run the venue. A hand-picked interim management committee comprising Mr Bongumusa Mtshali (Chairman), Mr Ramoll Bugwandeen, Ms Thuli Dumakude and Ms Caroline Smart was tasked with getting the centre back on its feet again.

Stable Theatre is now a Section 21 company. With the exception of Mr Mtshali who now heads the Department of Arts & Culture KZN: Eastern Region, the members of the interim management committee now serve on the board of directors along with Mr Musawenkosi Lembede, Ms Pearl Dwayisa, Ms Lindiwe Rakharebe and Ms Brenda Toko.

New administrative and financial systems are in place and the Stable Theatre is on track to reclaim its rightful place as a vibrant theatre venue in the city centre that is open to one and all.

As part of Stable Theatre’s rejuvenation process, it was decided to create a new logo and this was done through a developmental process involving the students of the Vega School in Westville. They were invited to take part in a competition to design an appropriate logo and the logos of the winner and runners-up were placed on exhibition at one of Durban’s top contemporary art galleries, artSPACEdurban. This offered valuable public acknowledgement and professional exposure for the young designers, to the benefit of their CV’s.

The winning designer was Joel Wilmot

(Chairman Madoda Mtshali with Thuli Dumakude, Ramoll Bugwandeen, Caroline Smart and Mandla Mlotshwa congratulate Joel Wilmot, winner of the logo design competition)