Cohort: Current Interns

Malibongwe is a writer, theatre maker, film set dresser and a volunteering radio presenter who resides in Khayelitsha but originally from Willowvale in the Eastern Cape. He was part of the MultiChoice Talent Factory South Africa Academy class of 2022 with a focus in art direction and screenwriting.  Malibongwe holds a BA Honours degree in Theatre and Performance, and an undergraduate BA degree with a triple major in Theatre & Dance Studies, Film & TV studies, and Media & Writing from the University of Cape Town.  In 2019, he wrote, directed and choreographed an award-winning theatre production, Blind Eye for the UCT R4R Theatre Festival.  One of his main goals is to start an arts organisation that will help the youth in the rural areas of his home town to develop their artistic skills.

Thando is a South African professional Filmmaker and a Photographer from Khayelitsha, Cape Town. He studied Film Production at Cape Peninsula University of Technology from 2019 -2022 where he majored in Cinematography, Directing and Post Production and graduated with Advanced Diploma. He has produced a documentary about his cycling journey with Documentary Institute of South Africa. Post school, Thando has been with Visual Impact for further skills training and development. He works as a freelancer in different fields including Cape Town TV and Bertha Movie House. Thando is a skilled cinematographer with a passion for story-telling and captivating cinematic videos and pictures.

Mawande is a multifaceted writer, performer, unfolding poet, and songwriter from Umtwenteni, Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. Growing up in a musical world, she was influenced by the rhythms of jazz and African drums, particularly inspired by her grandfather, Reggie Msomi, an incio jazz musician. In 2019, Mawande’s artistic journey took a turn when she traveled to China for the Shanghai International Sister Cities Youth Camp, igniting her passion for performance. She went on to complete her BA in Live Performance at AFDA in 2023. Though she majored in screen performance, her experience working on Shakespeare’s Hamlet in her final year fostered a deep appreciation for classical theatre. Mawande’s work draws inspiration from the rich landscapes of Africa, the healing journey of the inner child, and the reclamation of femininity. Performing under the name “Mnotho”—a non-binary name chosen by her mother who anticipated a boy—Mawande embraces a unique artistic identity that transcends traditional gender roles.

Thandile is an East London born and bred theatre practitioner/performer who began her journey in the arts at a tender age of 7 performing in community theatres around Mdantsane in East London. She is a Market Theatre Laboratory alumnus, where she got her training in stage management, lighting and sound design, as well as acting, directing, physical theatre and music. She is currently a Magnet Theatre Technical Intern. In 2009 she was part of a show that went to the National Arts Festival called Bakumka Bonke under Ubuhlanti Bengcinga Theatre Group and in 2021 she was part of a production called KaK! that was directed by Mr Josias Dos Moleele under the Market Theatre Laboratory.