In this Short Fuse episode Elizabeth Howard is in conversation with actor, director, playwright, influential drama lecturer, and theatre administrator, Malcolm Purkey, who shares his personal journey through the world of theater during a time of political upheaval in South Africa. How did artists navigate censorship, embrace improvisation, and use their craft as a powerful tool for resistance and change, from the vibrant musical evenings of his childhood to the transformative plays of Athol Fugard. Malcolm raises the questions: "Where is South Africa going? How do we decolonize in a way that's for real? What does that mean? Does it mean that the 11 official languages are even given equal weight across the board? Those are hard questions. And I'm not sure if I can even yet understand." Elizabeth Howard is recording in South Africa, researching and listening to learn more about how the legacy of apartheid continues to shape the artistic landscape today.