GCINA MHLOPHE STUDIO

New studio at KZN Edgewood Campus named after theatre luminary.

The School of Social Science Education at the Faculty of Education on the Edgewood Campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal has a new theatre space with the Gcina Mhlophe Studio.

This intimate venue is named after one of South Africa’s high profile theatre personalities and luminaries. An actress, writer, poet and storyteller of note, she is the recipient of numerous awards both in South Africa and abroad, such as the Edinburgh Fringe First Award, the BBC African Service for Radio award and the Josef Jefferson award in Chicago for her play Have you Seen Zandile? She is also the recipient of an OBBIE for acting in New York.

Her academic achievements include honorary degrees from the University of Natal and the Open University of London

She has addressed numerous conferences and seminars on writing and the oral tradition. Her expertise and talent as a traditional storyteller have made her an icon. Her work oin promoting literacy, especially in rural areas makes her particularly suited to an association of this kind with the Faculty of Education.

Professor Michael Samuel (Dean of Education) welcomed the guests at the launch before Professor Ntombfikile Mazibuko (DVC College of Humanities) introduced Gcina Mhlophe who gave her usual energetic, amusing and passionate presentation, acknowledging the honour of having the studio named after her, and confirming how important theatre was in the development of a pro-active and democratic society. The vote of thanks was presented by Dr Lorraine Singh.

Entertainment was provided by students of the department. Opera singers Nokulunga Mvuyana, Thembakazi Pendu and Busi Khuzwayo impressed with their performances as did drama students Nontobeko Mzizi and Thatani Nene who presented several excerpts from Have you Seen Zandile? The singers returned to bring a toe-tapping and upbeat tempo to the programme with Jikelemaweni Ndiyahamba with Claire Hamilton (violin), Melvin Vadival (drum) and Nzolo Mjmbane accompanied by lecturer Ronél Laidlaw.