Founded in Johannesburg in 1976 by Manny Manim and the late Barney Simon, out of the Johannesburg Indian Fruit Market, built in 1913, the theater has become world-renowned as the "Struggle Theatre" in South Africa, with a history The 42 years and over 300 Market Theater Foundation awards are a celebration of its past, grounded in the present and a vision for its future, Market Theater Foundation remains at the forefront of producing and presenting cutting-edge artwork that has an authentic African artistic voice and embraces the rich fabric of African diversity.