Cohort: 2016

Zizipho Quluba is 20 years old. She was born 8 of July, 1994 in the Eastern Cape at Umtata and now lives in Gugulethu, NY3A. She is a third year trainee at Magnet Theatre.  She matriculated in 2013 from Wynberg High School Arts Focus School. Her goal is to mentor youth and give back what she have learnt these past years.

Livie Ncanywa is 21 years old, from Nyanga East and matriculated from Zonnebloem Nest High School. Previously he was involved with New Born Theatre, in Nyanga.

Luthando Mvandaba was born in Cape Town in 1990 but originated from the Eastern Cape where his parents come from. In 1989 he went to Nkazimulo Primary School and in 2006 he started his High School at Chris Hani Arts and Culture Focus School. After he finished his matric, he joined a community group called Buyelekhaya Traditional Dancers, Performing around Cape Town and out side and during the world cup season. In 2011 he went to Grahamstown with a production called Ibhekile Evuzayo (Leaking Calabash). In 2014 and 2015 he was part of the training at Magnet Theatre and is now doing a third year at Magnet Theatre.

Lwando Magwaca is from Nyanga East. He is currently doing a third year at Magnet Theatre. He runs an arts project called Tales Of Chronicles, which deals with African Indigenous poerty, for the past 8 years. He also leads a Christian Movement called Anointed Youth Movement that is based on empowering and equipping youth from different backgrounds for the past 6 years. He is a co-founder of Nyanga Yethu Project that runs a gang-intervention project, through arts and performances, for the past 6 years. He is currently running a new project called Thethani – a debating project that stimulates cognitive discussions that excavates leaders, motivational speakers and public talks that inform community and help build role models.

Meagan Booysen is  a 21 year old performer, creator and hopefully someday a creator of dreams. She is currently a 3^rd year student at Magnet Theatre. She worked in the past with different community works such as the Cape Town Carnival, Fringe festival. She belonged to a community Theatre called BTC- Bridgetown Theatre Company, and has  danced with the Eoan group. During high school she performed with Hip Hop Indaba and the Rock challenge. She is currently a 3rd year trainee at Magnet Theatre.

Beviol Swarts is 20 years old and is from Eesteriver. She matriculated in 2013 from Eesteriver Arts and Culture Focus School. In 2014 she started at Magnet Theatre, trained there for 2 years and graduated at the end of 2015. She applied for the third year at Magnet Theatre that she is part of now.

Theatre maker on the mentoring programme 2016.

Actor, Playwright, Theatre director and poet. Lwanda is currently one of the most sought after poets in Cape Town. He started his Theatre career in 2009 debuting at the national arts festival with Sophumelela Theatre group. He holds a performing Arts certificate from New Africa Theatre Academy and currently studied physical theatre and acting at Magnet Theatre. He won the 2011 DFL + LOVER another poetry slam and went to compete in the National finals. Lwanda studied physical theatre under Mark Fleishman and Jennie Reznek where he has performed in the plays like “The Heart of Redness”and adaptation of Zakes Mda’s famous novel by Mark Fleishman, and Running with the Gold Fish by Brink Scholtz. He is a former member of a HIP HOP group from Delft D. O. S, His writing has always been influenced by poetry whether it be music or theatre. He was part of New Africa Theatre graduates who created and performed “Finally it rains in the Desert” with Clare Stopford in 2011, he was also part of a large cast of “Thabo Mbeki and other nighmares” by Tshepo Wa Mamatu winner of GIPCA young directors bursary 2012-2013. His own work include (Writer and Director) “Libethe Lagqitha” a play that was performed at one of the Zabalaza mini festivals in 2012 and “Achilles heel” that was performed at the 2013 Zabalaza Main Festival, “Sins of Others” and “Death the Redeemer” both plays were staged at the Black Box Theatre and 2013 Zabalaza mini festivals.

Theatre maker on mentoring Programme 2016.

Nwabisa Plaatjie is a BA (HONs) in Theatre and Performance graduate from the University of Cape Town. She comes from Ugie, Eastern Cape. NgumaNtsundu, Umgxongo, uSophitsho, Yem-yem, Ngqolomsila, uMadiba owadiba indoga, uHala. I come from a people that mend broken walls.

Growing up my grandmother used to tell me folktales (intsomi) xa kutshona ilanga. Through stories I learned about Imvelaphi yam (my family’s history), amasiko nezithethe (tradition and culture), and most importantly, the importance of compassion, gentleness and humanity (ubuntu). “Storytellers are gentle souls. You cannot tell a story when angry…” my Grandmother used to say. This is where my love for theatre stemmed from.

As a young theatre maker I am constantly trying to engage with those things that I do not understand…those things that often make me and those around me uncomfortable.