The play is set in an Islamic, Middle Eastern country ruled by a Sultan, where the government is experiencing civil unrest after coming from war.
The main character, a young man called Mustapha, is arrested during a demonstration, and his mum is trying to get him out of jail. It turns out he and his father were just offering medical aid to protesters, with a new technology (telemedicine) that allows people to be treated from a long distance. His father got shot and injured in the scuffle.
The arresting officer has a beef with kids like Mustapha, as his daughter, Anifa, went to university but came back pregnant. Eventually, Mustapha’s mum convinces him to let him go by invoking his good character and religious background.
Word gets to the Sultan leader about this new invention, and he summons Mustapha and rewards him greatly by offering him a stay in his Palace and other great gifts.
However, before this happens, a background check is done, and the Sultan discovers that Mustapha was one of the main agitators of civil unrest against his rule. He is then scheduled to be executed on live TV.
Meanwhile, Anifa, whose full name is Anifa Imana, but shortened to A.I., is revealed to be some sort of tech genius with knowledge and all the attributes of quantum computing and synthesized storage. Her pregnancy symbolizes the potential and hopes of the country.
Anifa runs a control room where she can monitor what happens in the country and is now leading the revolution against bad governance. She invites members of her generation to show them how the control room works. Among those invited is Fatma, who then invites her boyfriend Xavier. But Xavier is the Sultan’s son and heir to the throne.
State Indimidation Replayed
Back at the Sultan’s palace, Mustapha is about to be executed but agrees to become a state witness and give information about the generations’ activities in exchange for mercy (similar to Kenya’s abductions where they are forced to reveal those funding the movement).
The climax of the play is when Anifa, through her control room, shows poor salary information of the police, and the whole country rises into a revolution. The Sultan leads his army to a police station that Anifa has led her generation to burn down. Not before signing a declaration that, should anything happen to him, Xavier will take up his throne.
The army fires at the crowd, and Xavier, who happened to be there, gets shot. The Sultan sees this stops the shooting and starts mourning over his dead son.
Mustapha, however, uses the Telemedicine technology to revive Xavier, and the Sultan is grateful. He then becomes more willing to hear out the grievances of the people.
After some deliberation, both sides agree to work together and use the technology for the good of the nation and better governance.
According to “Her Majesty” (not her real name), an English teacher at Butere Girls, the overriding concern of the play is a call to Gen Zs to promote good governance.
This script was written by Cleophas Malala, former UDA Secretary General, and performed by Butere Girls High School up to the nationals, where it was met by controversies that have rocked the whole country.
