Mpumelelo Manyathi is a young and passionate African Music Specialist and choral conductor who was born Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal. He studied meteorology at the University of Pretoria where he sang for the Tuks Camerata and his love for choral music was nurtured and grown. Working with primary school and high school choirs and being guided by his University Conductor, he then started to build his knowledge in choral singing and conducting. Mpumelelo Manyathi is the conductor of the St. Albans College choir and Barbershop Boys and also conducts the University of Pretoria Health Sciences Choir. Publishing his works with Walton Music in the United States, he has been able to conduct workshops with choirs nationally and internationally presenting his works at the American Choral Directors Association in 2021.
FESTIVAL PROGRAM
OPENING NIGHT
1 November '23 | 18h30
Celebrate the spirit of bravery at the Opening Night of Mogale Festival, where diverse cultures fearlessly unite. Witness the fusion of colors and performances that challenge opposites, all while sparking your boundless curiosity. This will be a colorful evening filled with various performances by artists from Tshwane and beyond and will see the official opening of the festival. Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a spectacular sunset and some finger-foods.
Main act: Black Labone House Band Supporting acts will be announced on social media
SONUS
2 November '23 | 19h30
SONUS is a multidisciplinary production of song, sound and movement produced by Niël Rademan specially for Mogale. SONUS departs from the performance of the Vier weemoedige liedjies (Four sad little songs) by South African composer Arnold van Wyk. Each movement of this song cycle is performed in their original form, whereafter each movement is reimagined through translations of the text, in English; re-interpretations of the music on piano and percussion and shaped into movement.
AMAL'EZULZU (Johannesburg)
2 November '23 | 19h30
Amal’ezulu is a multi-movement theatre work for a male chorus, narrator and instrumental ensemble composed by 2023 University of Johannesburg Artist in Residence, Pieter Bezuidenhout. The musical work is based on extracts from the volume of poetry by esteemed Zulu poet, Benedict Wallet Vilakazi. The text of the work is based on both the original Zulu poems written by Vilakazi, the literal translations done by Mandlenkosi Sikakana and the rendered English verse by Florence Friedman. Vilakazi is widely considered the father of modern Zulu poetry.
WORLDPLAY ON PAPER
3 November '23 | 19h00
For the third edition of WORLDPLAY at MOGALE, multi-disciplinary arts organisation Wêreld is partnering with Hear My Voice (poetry organisation), Soft Serve, ATKV and Open Window School of Visual Communication to produce a series of printed A5 zines which feature the collaborative artworks of 20 illustrators and poets (10 pairings, so 10 individual books), a project titled “WORLDPLAY ON PAPER”. The project is curated by Jaco van der Merwe, Phomolo Sekamotho, Nina Torr and Maaike Bakker. All the illustrators are Open Window alumni or lecturers.
AANHOU BEWEEG EN GERAAS MAAK
3 November '23 | 19h30
Three fantastic, whimsical, grotesque and bizarre prose of Jan Sebastian Rabie, is taken from his collection Een-en-twintigig (1956), exploring and depicting the banal nature of love. It is interpreted as a play with Hannes Brummer, Laura-Lee Mostert, Al Clapper, Imile Wepener as puppeteer, and musical accompaniment by Abraham Mennen, on saxophone, to weave together the surreal tone of the piece.
This production will be performed in Afrikaans.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP INDABA
4 November '23 | 09h30
Discover transformation at Mogale Festival: Tailored for creatives, entrepreneurs, and business owners. Find your authentic voice, nurture a strong mindset, and decode human motivations. Connect with experts and peers for inspiration, insights, and growth. Secure your seat now!
Facilitated by Brand Strategist, Mynhardt van Pletsen
AMAL'EZULU (Pretoria)
4 November '23 | 19h30
Amal’ezulu is a multi-movement theatre work for a male chorus, narrator and instrumental ensemble composed by 2023 University of Johannesburg Artist in Residence, Pieter Bezuidenhout. The musical work is based on extracts from the volume of poetry by esteemed Zulu poet, Benedict Wallet Vilakazi. The text of the work is based on both the original Zulu poems written by Vilakazi, the literal translations done by Mandlenkosi Sikakana and the rendered English verse by Florence Friedman. Vilakazi is widely considered the father of modern Zulu poetry.
CAPITAL JAZZ
5 November '23 | 13h00
They say that Jazz music is the power of now; there is no script; it’s a conversation. Come celebrate the final performance of the Festvial with a long table lunch at Villa Barranco and RADEMAN S(W)ING. Stellenbsoch based performers, Niel Rademan and Lucas Heinen will be performing on the purple slopes of the Magalies, as their swinging lyrics and off-beat rhythms breathe life into the cool afternoon breeze.
THE ARTISTS
BLACK LABONE HOUSE BAND
Black Labone House Band is an extension of the Black Labone weekly festival which happens every Thursday at African Beer Emporium. Black Labone’s aim has been to develop a weekly arts program which will create a space for artists from across various disciplines to interact, collaborate and produce work that consistently improves upon itself. This is done through regular weekly concerts, discussions, slam poetry performances, live music, art exhibitions, open-mic and occasional screenings, to name a few. The session remains free to the public every Thursday from 16:00 till midnight. The band has been included in a number of line ups outside our own session, these include the Mogale Festival, Capital Craft Beer Festival, Feast Of The Clowns, Smoking Dragon as well as MieliePop Festival who have booked the band as main acts on their main stages. The band has recently done live sets with artists such as Boy Wonder, Blaklez, Bongo Riot, Reign Afrika,Skeleton Blazer and ZuluBoy just to name a few.
ANTONI SCHONKEN
The creative output of South African-born composer Antoni Schonken (1987-) negotiates themes of landscape, displacement, political failure, self-reflection, and queer identity. His compositions delve into the realms of narrative parallelism and dyssynchronous form. His musical style is a dialogue that traverses minimalism, impressionism, neo-romanticism, spectralism, noise, and trans-cultural paradigms. Antoni’s work is internationally published, and his film scores are currently broadcast by CBS Studios, BBC Earth Canada, Terra Mater, The Smithsonian, and Amazon Prime. His film works have won awards in SA, the UK, Europe, and the USA, and these scores have been heard at more than 80 film festivals including prestigious events like Annecy, Toronto, New York Festivals, BANG, and Cannes. Presently, Antoni lectures at Stellenbosch University in music theory, composition, orchestration and film music, where his research focuses on issues of experiential creativity and embodied practice within the musical arts.
MAGDALENA DE VRIES
Marimba One™ endorsed Premier Artist, Magdalena de Vries, is regarded as one of South Africa’s foremost multi-percussionists. As orchestral percussionist Magdalena has worked with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (Tokyo), attended the 2000 Festival de Musica de Canarias as member of the former Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, attended the 2014 Gabala International Music Festival (Azerbaijan) as member of the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and currently works as freelance orchestral, chamber and session percussionist. As marimba soloist, she has won an array of national and international prizes and awards, and has performed to great acclaim in London, Tokyo, Cambridge (UK), Moscow and Saint Petersburg. She holds a B Mus. degree (UNISA); performer’s licentiate diplomas (with distinction) from both the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and the University of South Africa and a Postgraduate Diploma (cum laude) from the Tokyo College of Music.
PIETER BEZUIDENHOUT
Pieter Bezuidenhout is a multi-award-winning composer, choir-conductor, instrumentalist, and producer whose musical voice, has come to be recognizable as truly unique and innovative (The Sunday Times). Constantly striving to bridge the gap between the younger and older generations of musicians across the cultural spectrum, he creates without the baggage of the past (Die Beeld). Invested in the world of choral, chamber and theatre music, published internationally by Helbling Verlag Publishers in Germany his works have been performed on five continents. He has received awards in composition from the European Academy of Choral Music as well as the Stefans Grove Composition Award. He was selected as one of the University of Johannesburg’s 2023 Artists in Residence and is producing a large-scale theatre work based on the poetry of Benedict Wallet Vilakazi for this programme, the first work of this nature to be produced on Vilakazi’s poetry. In August 2023 he also released his first solo Afrikaans Electro Pop album, SOEKER, an exploration of the Jungian Archetypes.
BIANCA BRAND
Bianca Brand lives on the outskirts of Pretoria in the natural surroundings of the Rietvlei wetlands, from which she draws daily creative inspiration for her art. Bianca has developed a craft that combines illustration and design with other mediums such as textiles, screen-printing, murals, etchings and monoprints. She depicts scenes with patterns and movements which reveals a visceral and shimmering quality in her work. Making home on a plot, she has been carefully documenting and doodling about her experiences in closer proximity with the cycles of nature. She is currently working on a project that will be launched at the end of 2023.
XABISO VILI
A World Poetry Slam Champion and a Mail & Guardian top 200 Young South African, Xabiso Vili is a multi-award winning performer, writer, new media artist, producer, director and social activist. He is the founder of Siziintsomi Creations, a creative incubator company that focuses on the intersection of storytelling, innovative mediums and healing. An Electric South New Dimensions Lab 5 alumni and a Business and Arts South Africa Cultural Producer Programme cohort and a Future Africa Grant recipient which allowed him to create a new poetry visual album in virtual reality. He is also a Leeds 2023 international artist seed commission awardee and a headline artist for the inaugral Création Africa Forum
CELESTE THERON
Celeste Theron is a production designer, art director, and author with a degree in BA Fine Arts. She loves bees, kids, gardening, books and all things theatre related. She is currently working in reality TV as part of the art department team. Her novel, Helder Oornag, will be released by Protea in 2024.
CHARLOTTE BOTHA
Dr. Charlotte Botha is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Choral Activities at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY, where she conducts the Hamilton Voices choral theatre ensemble and the College Choir, and teaches music theory and musicology. Her research interests include foreign language choral diction, text-painting, and equitable practices for including the music of and by marginalized communities in choral programs. Hailing from South Africa, her tenure as conductor of the Drakensberg Boys Choir solidified her passion for making music with and composing for young singers. Guest conducting engagements in 2023 have included the Alabama Vocal Association TTBB HS All-State Honor Choir, Women of Song Festival at Ball State University in Indiana, Missouri Choral Directors Association SATB MS/JH All-State Honor Choir, and Texas Choral Directors Association SATB MS/JH All-State Honor Choir. She holds a DMA from The University of North Texas, an MMus from Nelson Mandela University, and a BMus from the University of Pretoria.
LETHOKUHLE MSIMANG
Lethokuhle Msimang was born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. She graduated with a BA Literary Studies and Creative Arts from the American University of Paris and an MA Creative Writing from Rhodes University. Her poems have appeared in New Coin, Grocott’s Mail, Hanging Loose, The Paris/Atlantic, Stanzas, Clamantis, Il Tolomeo (Edition Ca’Foscari, Venice, 2022) amongst others. She is the author of Hubris, a collection of poems. The Frightened is her first novella.
LAURA-LEE MOSTERT
Laura-Lee Mostert is an actress, producer and production manager. After graduating from the University of Cape Town with a BA (Hons) in Theatre and Performance in 2017, she has dipped her toes into all aspects of creating and producing theatre, film and commercials; both behind and “in front” of the scenes. Her debut first-year role was a vagina, and since then she has appeared on local screens as Barbra in “Die Dinge van ‘n Kind”, Karen in “Karen” and will later be seen on Netflix in a show she’s not allowed to talk about yet. She was recently nominated as Best Actress in a Short Film at the 2023 Silwerskermfees – “Started from the bottom now we’re here”. Laura-Lee values humility and Cher. She loves collaboration, and awkward dancing, and hates anything that feels too pretentious. She hopes to continue her work in the film, television and commercial industries and meet wonderful, inspiring and hilarious people along the way.
LINETTE VAN DER MERWE
Dr. Linette van der Merwe (mezzo-sopraan) is 'n dosent aan die Universiteit van Pretoria, Fakulteit Opvoedkunde by die Departement Geesteswetenskaplike Opvoedkunde. Sy maak in 2002 haar professionele debuut as Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti). Ander rolle in haar repertorium sluit in Flora Bervoix in La Traviata (Verdi), Ida in Die Fledermaus (Strauss), Giovanna en Maddalena in Rigoletto (Verdi), Mercédez en Carmen in Carmen (Bizet) en The Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors ( Menotti). In 2018 het sy die titelrol in Carmen (Bizet) tydens Sempre Opera se produksie by Joburg Theatre gesing. In 2019 en 2022 word Linette genooi deur Opera Pannonica, Akademie vir Kunste in Osijek om onderskeidelik die rolle van die Derde Dame in Mozart se Die Zauberflöte en Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro in Kroasië te sing. Linette spesialiseer veral in kontemporêre Afrikaanse Liedere en neem in 2007 'n CD Droomuur op met nuwe Afrikaanse kunsliedere wat deur Niel van der Watt gekomponeer is. In 2019 neem sy deel aan 'n projek ter viering van die Suid-Afrikaanse komponis S. L. Roux Marais se werk in 'n reeks Lieder-konserte en aan die opname van 'n meegaande CD, S Le Roux Marais Feesjaar: 40 Liedere – 40 Jaar Later.
NËIL RADEMAN
Niël Rademan is a highly acclaimed South African singer, theatre director and producer. He sang in two productions on the West End in London, performed all over Europe in the past where he was applauded with standing ovations (Vienna, Den Hague, Utrecht, Amsterdam, Bern - Switzerland, France and London). He is a dynamic theatre practitioner with a Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Afrikaans & Dutch, a Master’s degree in Drama (focusing on the human voice) as well as a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (cum laude from the Two Oceans Graduate Institute). As an alumnus of Stellenbosch University, he received the Mark Graham trophy for best directing student. There after he directed and produced multiple productions that differs from opera, drama to children’s theatre.
NINA TORR
Nina Torr, born 1987, is an artist/illustrator based in Pretoria. After obtaining her BFA from Parsons School of Design, New York, in 2010, Torr returned to South Africa to further expand on her artistic practice. In 2020 she completed her MTech in Fine Arts at UJ. Torr frequently participates in various exhibitions and is a lecturer in illustration at the Open Window. Torr has to date had nine solo exhibitions, the most recent being 'Marginalia' at David Krut Projects in 2022.
JOLYN PHILIPS
Jolyn Phillips is an award winning poet and author of Tjieng Tjang Tjerries and other stories, Radbraak and Bientang. She is also a theatre maker and music composer. She currently has a self-titled Album on Spotify and Apple Music produced by WASGOEDLYN who she plays live gigs with. She likes to think of herself as free-lance academic.
KYLE KEMINK
Kyle Kemink is a graphic designer and multimedia artist working with a variety of traditional and digital mediums. His work is abstract, yet considered. Chaotic, while perfectly balanced. And a mix of playful seriousness with curated experimentation. The outcome being something truly unique which exists between formal design, refined expression, and unfamiliar art.
WIAN JOUBERT
Wian is a professional freelance and session drummer & percussionist. Achieving a distinction for Trinity Grade 8 Drumkit, Wian also conducts and arranges for numerous percussion and marimba ensembles. Currently the Orchestra and Operations Manager at the JHB Youth Orchestra Company, Wian has performed with artists like Elvis Blue, Miriam Makeba, Danny K, Lira and many more. Performing with various session musicians, Wian has toured internationally with Islamic artist Zain Bhika, plays drums and percussion for various school and International musicals like Rock of Ages and Rocky Horror. He works on an ad-hoc basis for the JHB Philharmonic Orchestra and JHB Festival Orchestra and can be seen on shows like Classics is Groot, SA Tattoo, Starlight Classics and Gone Too Soon. Wian is also a member of the Everlong Wedding band and manager of the WLD Jazz Quartet.
DANIELLA RODRIGUES
I am Daniella Rodrigues, a South African Illustrator based in the vibrant city of Pretoria. My artistic journey is firmly rooted in a deep appreciation for nature's wonders and the profound stories embedded in everyday objects. I bring these elements to life in my work, infusing it with a sense of curiosity and mystery. However, my true heart lies in the realm of storytelling through illustration. With the stroke of a textured brush or the precision of a digital pen, I aim to transform my thoughts and emotions into captivating visuals that resonate deeply with viewers. My ultimate goal as an illustrator is to redefine the way we perceive visual communication, crafting narratives that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also meaningful and relevant. My work strives to inspire, connect, and include viewers in a shared journey of exploration and understanding.
MYNHARDT VAN PLETSEN
Mynhardt helps creative minds to build a meaningful career by doing work that makes an impact and generates an income. He is a brand strategist, content creator, communication specialist and loves working at the intersection of creativity, productivity, communication and connection. Mynhardt is a TEDx speaker, author and creator of several courses including Becoming.Quest, Perfect Pitch and Moments That Matter.
BELITA ANDRE
Belita Andre is a Johannesburg-based poet, copywriter and writing facilitator. Although South African born, the writer is of Namibian and Nigerian descent. This has been the grounding perspective from which her work stems. She is co-founder of Death in the afternoon, a literature house that offers writing, workshop and performance experiences for students and adults around Johannesburg. Some of her performances include Poetry Africa, the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, Izimbongi Festival, Turbine Art Fair and virtual exhibitions at the 2020 National Arts Festival (in collaboration with Sheimpressions and The Radioactive Poetry Hub). Belita has collaborated with MAC Cosmetics, Jameson SA and contributed poems to the colouring book and anthology: Colour Me Melanin.
FLEX OF HE & I
Phomolo Sekamotho, better known as Flex of He & I, is a South African artist that incorporates spoken word poetry into live music. His craft has seen him travel and share all across Southern Africa, Washington DC as well as New York. In 2012 he headlined the House of Hunger Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe. In 2015 he visited the United States of America, performing and facilitating writing workshops in schools across Washington DC. Flex is currently working on a live “poetry in music” album with his 6-piece band. Under the Fly Language and Azania to DC banner, He has facilitated workshops at the Pioneer Academy in Johannesburg as well as Washington DC under the Azania to DC banner, creating channels that serve as a platform for communities of young artists to express and exhibit their creativity, talents, beliefs, history, culture and perspectives.
CHRISTIAAN HARTMAN
Christiaan Hartman has been involved with music his whole life. After obtaining his BMus Honors Degree specializing in classical piano he dove headfirst into being a fulltime musician. Apart from working as a piano teacher at Crawford College Pretoria and accompanying choirs he focusses on live performances in the band scene. His current projects are Zen Garden, Boek Klub, MANTRA, Skopperloit, Ruiter Piet en die Skouperde and his solo career as “Christiaan Hartman.” He also focuses on production and recording. Chirstiaan recorded both the first two singles of Boek Klub, produced the song “We are Golden” for artist Jacques Adriaanse, co-produced the new upcoming Ruiter Piet EP as well as the single “Feelings and Dreaming” by Anru Vorster. He is also a multi-instrumentalist.
VENI CANTARE
Veni Cantare is a Johannesburg-based male choir founded in 2022 consisting of talented men who share a passion for choral singing. Shortly after launching, Veni Cantare formed part of the His Day is Done project by Ed Sarath, dedicated to Nelson Mandela by legendary poet, Maya Angelou. In 2023, the choir received an invitation to be one of three choirs at the first annual National Conductors’ Convention in Cape Town. The choir aims to create and share musical integrity through its interpretation of chosen repertoire for male chorus that comprises of Western and African choral music. Veni Cantare is conducted by Sizwe Mondlane, a choral-conducting protégé, and has graced stages such as the Naledi Theatre Awards, and a feature on the South African popular drama-series, The River.
PUNO SELESHO
Puno Selesho is an exceptional Spoken Word artist and social entrepreneur who has performed on both international and local platforms for 12 years. Puno possesses a deep appreciation for words and people, which has inspired a journey of collaboration with a wide range of entities. Through words, Puno has brought many a project to life, and further hopes to help people see the world through a creative lens, challenge social norms and share the modern African narrative.
JONATHAN LEFENYA
Jonathan Lefenya is a digital marketer, founder of a media company Creators Court. scriptwriter, copywriter, freelance journalist, published poet, performer and facilitator. A Digify Africa alumni, The Touch program alumni, and a current Global Entrepreneurship Leadership program mentee.
ZINHLE ZULU
I go by the artist name ‘Zhi Zulu’ because I thought it sounded cool in my youth. I’m a 20-something-year-old illustrator and lecturer based in Johannesburg. I’ve since won a Gold-craft Loerie award for illustration. I was part of Design Indaba's creative class of 2019. I have participated in exhibitions at Gallery 2, GalleryOne11, No End Contemporary Art Space, NOW gallery, NWU Art Gallery and Turbine Art Fair (2019-present) represented by David Krut Projects. In my illustration practice, I have collaborated with clients such as Absolut Vodka, Levis, Constitution Hill, Wanderland Collective, E-coffee cup. Most recently I collaborated with FlySafair and I designed the new South African 20c coin. I am interested in representation in our newly democratic South Africa and how that can be interpreted through illustration. I think it’s important for creatives to explore the newness in how Africa is portrayed.
MAAIKE BAKKER
Maaike Bakker’s (b.1986, Pretoria) is a visual artist, illustrator and educator. In her work, Bakker aims to construct spatial systems that possess their own internal logic, presenting these in a state of flux. Her work explores tensions that exist between perceived order, chaos and futility. Beyond her practice as an artist and illustrator, she has also worked as a curator and is currently a lecturer at Open Window. Her practice embraces abstraction and she enjoys navigating between traditional and digital approaches in her work.
IMILE WEPENER
Imile Wepener is an artist, illustrator and puppeteer from Kempton Park. Imile earned a BA Honours in Visual Communication The Open Window Institute in Pretoria. Imile started making puppets at the age of 10, and went on to learn from esteemed South African puppeteers Alida von Maltitz, Antoinette Snyman and Toby van Eck. In 2015 he manipulated the lead puppet character in Nina Torr’s Tallard and the Ladderbird production. He has created puppets for various entertainers and productions over the years, including Pumpkin Patch and Tippie.
NIEL BADENHORST
Neil Badenhorst is an award-winning illustrator, artist and researcher based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Neil's research and practice is concerned with imaginary worlds and wordless narrative in illustration. Neil is currently studying towards his PhD, lectures in the Graphic Design department at the University of Johannesburg, and freelances as an illustrator.
JACO VAN DER MERWE
Jaco van der Merwe has performed original audiovisual creations since 1998, as lyricist, vocalist, instrumentalist, poet and songwriter, winning two SAMAs (South African Music Awards) for Best Alternative Albums in 2011 & 2015 with his band Bittereinder. Jaco is currently Head Of School at Open Window Film Arts, with a Masters degree in Audiovisual Communication (cum laude) from UJ. Many other multidisciplinary and collaborative projects as filmmaker, lecturer, workshop-host, presenter, director, editor, curator, always seeking to empower others on their creative journeys.
LETHABO SHAI
Lethabo Shai is a female dancer, born on the 29th of May 1996 in Leboeng,Limpopo. Lethabo was first introduced to wheelchair dance in Letaba Special School at the age of 12,her interest in dance grew during the years between 2011-2014 when she was in her high school. While studying for her Psychology degree at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), she took part in the Enabled Through Dance program by Moving Into Dance in collaboration with UJ in 2018 -2019.She then participated in the online ArtsAbility Residency and Festival 2020 by Unmute Dance Company where she was introduced to Themba Mbuli, Mpotseng Shuping, Nadine Mackenzie and Andile Vellem. Through the residency she attended music and dance workshops by Unmute, Zimbini and Calvin Tladi. She then joined Unmute in 2021/2022 for integrated dance training in which she learned about sign dance and integrated dance in detail. Lehabo started RMB/FirstRand 2022/2023 internship program at Moving Into Dance under the leadership of Nadia Virasamy and artistic director Mandla “Sunnyboy”Motaung. During this internship she had the opportunity to be part of the Basadi Incubation mentorship and Basadi Festival 2023 by Teresa Phuti where she participated and performed two new concepts a duet and solo. As a dancer living with a disability, she is passionate about challenging the societal norms in the Art Industry, she believes that movement should be a form of self expression that has birthed dance.And that dance is a universal language that everyone can speak but very few understand.
TERESA PHUTI MOJELA
Phuti was born and raised in Ivory Park and Limpopo Province. She is a performer, choreographer, teacher, mentor, as well as aspiring director and Producer .A founder and director of PHUTI PEDI PRODUCTIONS and Children Saturday Dance Classes. Founder,Curator and Director of BASADI DANCE FESTIVAL 2023 funded by The National Art Council South Africa and Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme. She started her acting and dancing career in 1999 with a community group called Township Mirror Theatre Group based in Tembisa under the leadership of the late Oupa “China” Malatjie. She studied drama at Paul Rapetsoa’s Institute of Dramatic Arts from 2005-2006. Then in 2008 was a student at Inzalo Dance Theatre.2009 was a trainee at Tribhangi Dance Theatre where she trained in different Indian dance styles and later in the same year performed in Thabo Rapoo’s Sehume Tlokweng for Dance Umbrella doing Praise and Song. In 2010 she was featured in Luyanda Sidiya’s Indlela for Dance Umbrella. In 2010-2014 she was a senior dance company member at Vuyani Dance Company under the leadership of Gregory Maqoma and was a dance teacher for Outreach Children’s program and Vuyani Saturday Academy. Then 2015 joined MID ,was a teacher and a dancer at moving into dance Mophatong.
FERDI GEYER
Ferdi Geyer (klavier) behaal 'n B.Mus.(Uitvoerend)-graad in 1995 aan die Universiteit van Pretoria onder leiding van Wessel van Wyk. Na sy studies maak hy ʼn Europese draai as begeleier van verskeie kore en repetiteur van verskeie balletskole en -geselskappe die Royal Ballet School en The English National Ballet School gewerk het. Sedert sy terugkeer na Suid-Afrika in 2001 tree Ferdi as begeleier vir talle kore in Pretoria op en spesialiseer veral as repetiteur vir plaaslike balletskole en -geselskappe. Voorts is Ferdi bekend by klassiekemusiekgehore veral as begeleier vir sangers, instrumentaliste en verskeie plaaslike kore. Hy is tans in diens van Hoërskool Pro Arte Alphen Park (Kuns en Musiek en Balletskool) as 'n balletrepetiteur en ook by Tshwane Universiteit van Tegnologie as operareptiteur by die Operaskool.
XITHA MAKGETA
Xitha Makgeta is a Pretoria born and based writer. He’s the author of poetry chapbooks “Bits & Pieces”(2016) and “Pen Still Inking”(2021). Discography: In Fragments(E.P) 2008, Rap’Oetree(E.P) 2010, Mind’s Gallery(E.P) 2020 Collaborations: Art Against GBV(2020) - Exhibition and Poetry Performance with Blunt Moya; Ayanda Zungu, Phethego Kgomo; Fly Language(2017), Visual Art Exhibition and Poetry Performance with Charles Jean-Pierre; Tribute To Brigalia Bam(2015)(*commissioned) Poetry And Dance Performance with Michel Button. He’s read and performed his poetry on different platforms including: Grahamstown National Arts Festival Literary Fest Harare; Split This Rock Poetry Festival; Polokwane Literary Festival. He’s the founder of ‘Go Ngwetse Mang? Poetry Sessions’ and ‘WriteUsAnonymous Poetry Workshops’ at Stanza Bopape Library in Mamelodi.
HANNES BRÜMMER
Hannes Brümmer is a SAFTA winning actor (Best actor in a TV-comedy 2019 – Elke skewe pot 2), as well as an established stand up comedian, improviser, and voice over artist, television writer, and director. He has appeared in a variety of theatre-, television- and film productions specializing in comedy. As a writer/creator he lays claim to a hand in the sketch comedy shows, Blikskottel and Kompleks, and served as Head-writer on the second and third seasons of the SABC2 Sci-fi Sitcom Die Vlieënde Springbokkie. His theatre writing credits include co-writing the Add-Life pantomime Doringrosie and he generates his own stand-up material including a trilogy of one-man shows: Punk in Plakkies Wie's jou pappa? and Amper oud, His television directing credits include kykNET NOU! Top 20, Die Vlieënde Springbokkie, and the kykNET Silwerskerm short-film Van Nasionale belang. His interest in directing has also seen him produce content for corporate videos in association with Decibels studios.
BIBI SLIPPERS
Bibi Slippers is a poet and screenwriter. She has published to collections of poetry, and is currently completing her first feature film as writer and director.
MPUMELELO MANYATHI
ANGIE GALLAGHER
Angie Gallagher is a language practitioner and poet, and resides in Johannesburg. After a five-year stay in the barren and beautiful Upper Karoo, she moved back to Joburg to be with her sweetheart. She currently plies her trade as the senior sub-editor at the ATKV. Her poems were published in Nuwe stemme 6, and some of her writing also appeared in Skeef: Wat jy van LGBTIQ-wees wil weet by Renaldo Schwarp.
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