Cohort: 2020

Lungisani Dyalvani is a 25 year old from Khayelitsha. He is a theatre-maker, practitioner and an actor who has a huge goal of becoming the greatest actor ever lived. His purpose in life to use his acting skills to help change people`s perspective about themselves and the world, to make a world a better place to live in for the next generation to come, because he strongly believe that every individual in this world has their own unique talent to offer in the world.

Gabriel Buis is 20 years old from Barrydale. He worked at an organisation where he was part of shows playing with big puppets and also went to Baxter Theatre to perform one of their shows there. Currently he is trainee at Magnet Theatre.

Yolanda Gaqa is 23 years old from Khayelitsha. She is an actress, theatre-maker, practitioner, who seeks to become the greatest actress ever! And change people’s lives by doing it. Her vison and mission is to change people`s thinking about the world and themselves, by portraying and writing stories that will give people awareness on how they can change their lives.

Khaya Buntu Magantsela is 21 years old from Eersterivier. He has done the following productions: ‘Emerging Footprints’, ’Born Frees’ and, ‘Sins of Migrations’. He was in German Exchange programme. In 2018, in high school, he was awarded the Best Actor Award. He attended a kyk Net National competition and out of 600 students, he was selected to top 9. Currently, he is a trainee at Magnet Theatre.

Siphenathi Siqwayi is 25 years old, born and bred in Eastern Cape, but currently residing in Kraaifontein, Cape Town. He started acting in 2009 when he joined the local organisation called Mayibuye Developmental agency inspired by the big names in the industry. He performed in few productions: ‘Zinxananazile’ and ‘The Journey’ by Bulelani Mabutyane; ‘This day 6 years ago’ by Avela Gigi; ‘Long walk to Freedom’ by Mkhuseli Richard Tafane etc. He also performed in many big theatres in Cape Town and Johannesburg. In 2014, He did Public Relations Management at CPUT and further went on to do technical support in IT at On the Ball College. Currently, He is one of the Magnet Theatre trainees. His dream is to be a theatre-maker, arts facilitator and an innovator so that he can give back to the community he grew up in.

Nosiphiwo Ndabeni is a 22 year  old  actress  from  Cape  Town,  originally  from  Eastern  Cape  Lady  Frere. In  2017, she  joined  RAINBOW  ARTS ORGANISATION,    she  was  a  trainnee  for  six months  in  Drama  and  Music. She performed the SPEAR directed by Thembekile Komani and Philani Xhaga. In   2017, she auditioned for IsiXhosa  play  called  Buzani  kuBawo  and was successful.  In  2018, she performed  the play  at  Artscape  Theatre  directed  by  the  legendary  Thokozile  Ntshinga. In 2019 went  back  to  Rainbow  Arts Organization  where she met  the  well-known  Cape  Town  Actor  Mbulelo  Grootboom. She performed Iago’s Last Dance by Mike Van Graan directed by Mbulelo Grootboom. Now she is the Stage Manager for The Missing Manual by Xola Honono for Zabalaza Festival and, current Magnet Theatre trainee.

Sipho Kalako, is 23 years old from Khayelitsha, Site B. He started doing theatre from 2008 where he was part of a community-based organisation called Khwela. He has been involved productions, performing at Artscape, Baxter theatre and Makukhanye Art room. He was trained by Makukhanye Arts room by Mandisi Sindo, Lulama Masimini, Mbulelo Grootboom.

Azola Mkhabile is an actor, director and a graduate from Makukhanye Art Room (MAKU-ASH). He was trained in theatre making and performing art by Mbulelo Grootbom and Mandisi Sindo. In 2015 he won the Best Actor award for The Klein Libertas Theatre Festival. His acting credits include Emerging Footprints directed by Nwabisa Plaatjie, Ingqumbo directed by Thando Doni, Bounced directed by Jennie Reznek and Jane Batzofin, iKrele leChiza …the sermon directed by Mandla Mbothwe, X-Attack directed by Mbulelo Grootbom and Mandisi Sindo, and Quest To Apartheid Laws directed by Zimasa May. He is a graduate of the Magnet Theatre’s Fulltime Training and Job Creation Programme 2020- 2022.

Bulelwa Mbalo is 21 years old from Nyanga East. She is currently a trainee at Magnet Theatre. She is passionate about theatre plays and theatre-making.

Yamkela Sotapu is a CPUT graduate from Gugulethu. He holds a National Diploma and Btech Degree in Public Management and a SAP ERF Certificate focusing in Finance, Logistics and Report. He served as the LifeChoice- Schools Peer Educator, He was award for serving as a Young historian, High School Guardian/Prefect. He was the HCI Foundation Peer Mentor and a Class Representative for Public Law. Yamkela is now part of Magnet Theatre`s EPWP internship programme.