Shika Budhoo's 'Roti Queen' shines a light on the experiences of South African Indian women

AT THE vibrant crossroads of theatre, literature, and education stands Shika Budhoo, a 41-year-old multidisciplinary creative artist whose work reflects the rich tapestry of South African culture. 

Born and raised in Verulam, Budhoo has become a household name through her roles as an actress, writer, voice artist, and as a drama and voice coach. 

Budhoo, who currently resides in Queensburgh, will perform in the one-woman comedic drama, Roti Queen, on the opening day of the Red Mango Arts Festival today (Wednesday) at 1pm and on Friday at 3pm at Sastri College. 

For the production, she also served as the co-writer, with her husband Dhaveshan Govender, and producer.

"More than 10 years ago, when I saw Dhaveshan's King of Old Trafford, a one-man show about a divorced Manchester United super fan, I was inspired to tell the woman's side of the story, and so this play was inspired. I am so grateful for Dhaveshan's super writing and directing skills that he brought to this script."

She said the story followed Amrita, a Durban wife and mother, as she kneads, flips, and fries her husband’s favourite rotis, while juggling the noise of family, nosy friends, and the constant heartbeat of Bollywood songs on the radio.

"But behind the jokes, gossip, and flour-dusted charm, Amrita is wrestling with deeper questions: What does it mean to hold a home together when your husband is absent? Who gets to taste the sweetness of her love, and who only takes? And when does a woman stop serving and finally claim her own stage, her own music, her own fire?

"Roti Queen is an unforgettable ride through family feuds, charity-fair chaos, and the ache of loneliness living with a Liverpool fan. From the floury slap of dough to the shimmering sway of Bollywood, this play is as much about survival as it is about celebration. The show is an authentic Durban story that explores the challenges of marriage and is a pertinent production that honours South African Indian women facing the challenges of modern life." 

Roti Queen's theatrical run, she said, had been planned nationally for 2026. 

Budhoo's passion for the stage ignited when she was about six years old. 

"I attended Saira Essa's speech and drama classes from a young age. My first experience of a production was a play I wrote in Grade 4. My mom, Asha Budhoo, typed it on a typewriter at the bank she worked at, I did the casting during the school lunch break, and rehearsed with my friends. My school, Lotusville Primary, allowed me to stage the production for pupils in my grade. 

"My first professional production was Macbeth in 2005 at The Playhouse. I was doing my honours degree at UKZN at the time. Garth Anderson had seen me in a varsity production and offered me a professional role for the touring Shakespeare show playing Lady McDuff and a variety of other characters." 

Since then, she has featured in more than 80 stage productions. 

"From these performances, I have learnt that we have amazing artists in this country that I have had the privilege of working with. I learnt the power of live storytelling and the impact it could have on a society's reflection process and personal growth, as well as fostering a strong sense of community. I also learnt that the stage is truly the most collaborative performance art that puzzle pieces together toward one purpose. And I always say: 'If we don't tell our stories, who will?'." 

She released the first novel in her Aiyo Rama Wedding Drama series set in Verulam, and is a playwright, comedy writer, and ghost writer helping others tell their stories.

Budhoo appeared in Leon Schuster's Pay Back the Money, and in cameo roles in multiple local soapies and series', including Snake Park and 90 Plein Street. 

During the Red Mango Arts Festival, Budhoo will also feature in the drama Letters of Suresh. Her children's show, Miss Marshmellow's Rainbow Surprise, will be staged at schools toward the end of the year. 

Roti Queen is a one-act drama with some dance and comedy for audiences 16 years old and over. Tickets through Webtickets. The festival will run from today until Saturday. 

THE POST