The star of a Lowry play says audiences need to realise that slavery is a scandal of the 21st century not just the history books.
Yolanda Ovide, the star of Slave: A question of Freedom, says people do not realise the extent of modern slavery which is the subject of the play.
She has spoken out about her role in the production which tells the story of Mende Nazer, who was sold as a slave in Sudan and taken to London in 2000.
Yolanda has urged people to do their research during Black History Month.
She said: “For a lot of people Black History Month is about slavery 200 years ago, but there are still a lot of people who are suffering from slavery.
“Mende’s story was in the early 2000s. It is important for people to know that there is still work that needs to be done.
“It is vital for people to look into modern day black heroes, because Mende is one of those heroes.”
She says she was blown away by the book on which the play is based telling the story of Mende who was raised in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, and brought to Britain as a slave. She was finally granted asylum after escaping.
Yolanda said: “Knowing how hard the system was for her and millions of other asylum seekers, tells me that something needs to a change on how we as an audience should view asylum seekers, and make it easier for people like them to go through the system.
“When you hear about asylum seekers they are always someone else’s problem, they’re completely separate. It’s always seen as ‘them’, ‘they’re coming over here taking space’.
“We want to create awareness, get people’s voices heard, and try and get this Labour government to put their money where their mouth is.”
In 2023, 174,000 people were living in modern slavery in Sudan, according to the human rights group Walk Free.
Yolanda added: “It was eye opening to know that this still happens in Sudan. Nothing has changed in the 70 years they haven’t been in British control.
“If I could spread awareness I would feel like I have done my job.”
During rehearsals the cast met the real Mende.
Yolanda said: “She was stunning and had the most beautiful smile. She was so warm, and she wouldn’t stop saying ‘thank you’. She was so grateful that we were telling her story, but we were grateful for letting us tell her story.”
“It was amazing that someone like her with her story could still bring such a smile. That is something that I will never forget.”
Audiences for the play can join in Q&As, and take away leaflets about the Mende Nazer foundation, which helps people in the Nuba mountains in Sudan, which has been suffering from severe droughts. Fundraising has helped to build schools and hospitals back in Sudan.
Recent Comments