Four years ago, Neil Jardine, then President of the Shakespeare Society, met sculptor Ayanda Mji who works in Port Elizabeth and bought one of her sculptures at an exhibition. He suggested she sculpt two characters from Shakespeare's plays - Lady Macbeth (Macbeth) and Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra)

No Shakespeare buff at that stage, Ayanda did her research and Cleopatra was chosen for presentation. On July 11, her “two-faced” Cleopatra, in fired and painted clay complete with asp at the bosom, was presented by well-known South African actress Moira Winslow, executive member of the Shakespeare Society of Southern Africa, to the Swan Theatre in Stratford-on-Avon - Shakespeare's home town. There the sculpture will reside as an example of contemporary African art to celebrate South Africa's links with William Shakespeare and the universal relevance of his work.

In September, Ayanda Mji travels to Denmark, courtesy of the Department of Arts and Culture, to run a ceramics workshop. It is hoped to arrange for her to visit the Swan Theatre during her sojourn abroad.

More details from Reville Nussey on (046) 636-1770 or e-mail: reville.nussey@foundation.org.za