Cohort: Staff
Mandla Mbothwe is an Artistic Director of Magnet Theatre and drives the Culture Gangs Programme. He is an acclaimed South African playwright, researcher, director, art teacher and theatre practitioner. A previous Artistic Director at the Steve Biko Centre and former Creative Manager at Artscape Theatre Centre he has created theatre productions of high quality, in South Africa and abroad, dealing with cultural and historical themes. Some of his noteworthy work includes Isivuno sa maphupha (Harvesting of dreams), Ingcwaba le ndoda lise cankwedlela (The grave of the man is next to the road), Umyenzo we zandi (Eden of sounds), Inxeba lo mphilisi (The wound of a healer), Voices of Women, Ukutshona ko Mendi (The sinking of the Mendi), Biko’s Quest, G7-OkweBokwe, Biko-Rising and Iyazika to mention but few. The theatre stalwart has won several awards including the Handspring Puppetry Award for Best Visual Theatre (2010), Fleur du Cap Award with Mark Fleishman and Jennie Reznek for Innovation in Theatre (2010), Fleur du Cap Award for Innovation in Theatre (2013) and Eastern Cape Arts & Culture Award for Outstanding Contribution in Drama (2013). Mbothwe is a Founder and Artistic Director at Mud and Fire Parables. Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Cape Town, Co-Artistic director at Magnet Theatre and co-Artistic director at Mbothwe and Doni Collectives. He completed his master’s degree in Theatre and Performance with distinction at University of Cape Town.
Meagan Booysen is a 21 year old performer, creator and hopefully someday a creator of dreams. She is currently a 3rd 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.
Themba Stewart (Production and venue manager) graduated from University of Cape Town as theatre maker in 2008. He has since worked as a freelance production manager, designer, writer, director, installation artist and performer. Themba has run multiple shows in theatre festivals, venues and site specific spaces in the country and internationally. These include Infecting the City Festival (Multiple years – Technical manager 2014); Live Art festival; Magnet Theatre’s – I Turned away and she was Gone and Every year every day I am Walking ; Jay Pather’s – Body of evidence and Qaphela Caesar; Jemma Kahn’s In Boccaal Lupo. As a director, Themba wrote and directed Red Aloes in collaboration with the powerhouse team of Iman Isaacs and Richard September; performed at Magnet Theatre in 2017 and restaged at Zeitz Mocaa in 2019. Recently, as an Artist, Themba (in collaboration with Qondiswa James) installed two light installation works for the Spier Light Art festival 2019/2020. Themba has worked with Magnet theatre since 2011 and has been a production, tour, stage and venue manager for shows in Cape Town, nationally and abroad.
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.
Zukisani Nongogo is a UCT graduate, specialising in Theatre-making in the Drama Department`s PDT program. He is an Expanded Public Work Program intern and a Culture Gangs facilitator at Magnet Theatre. Most recently, he has successfully completed the extended education practitioner training programme at the University of Stellenbosch and, was awarded as the Human of the After School Movement by the Western Cape Government`s After school programme office.
Nomsa Mbothwa is the current Training Manager at Magnet Theatre. She graduated with Btech degree in Public Relations Management. She is a proud mother of two children and wife. Her true passion lies in touching people`s lives. She has worked in the Advertising and, Banking Industries. She believes her true calling is to simply make a small difference in young people`s lives – Magnet Theatre has been the tool to do just that
Palesa Mohlala is a 22 years old. She graduated from Magnet Theatre in 2018 and, now is part of the company`s EPWP internship. She enjoys writing, poetry, theatre-making and theatre-plays. She is also part of the 2017/18 graduates who were nominated for Best SA Scripts for G7: Okwe-Bokhwe by Fleur de Cap.