The Durban University of Technology
Department of Drama and Production Studies, (former Technikon Natal’s Drama and
Theatre Crafts Department), has over the past 29 years continued to produce
well-known personalities and reputable graduates, who have made boundless
strides in various artistic sectors within the Educational Arts and Culture
sectors, plus the Stage, Radio, TV and Screen entertainment industry both at
home and abroad.
Notable alumni of the Courtyard Theatre on
stages, screens and other entertainment platforms include: Nthati Moshesh;
Marion Loudon; Tebby Ramasike; Grant Swanby; Michael Broderick; Brandon Bunyan;
Jenny Bunyan; Tex Texeira; Mandla Thabethe; Patrick Kenny; Simo Magwaza; Ali
Lambole; Christa Biyela; John Vlismas; Russell Boast; Liesl Coppin; Belinda
Chapman; Belinda Henwood; Nondumiso Dlamini; Tracy Whittaker Voss; Deana
Heslop-Mthembu; Maeshni Naicker; Thabiso Olifant; Thami Afrika; Upasana
Beharee; Sthembiso Khumalo; Siyabonga Radebe; Portia Gumede; Thenjiwe
Maphumulo; Lele Ledwaba; Zuko Nodada; Thandeka MaMalinga Nodada; Sonto
Maphumulo; Hlengiwe MaLushaba Madlala; Siyabonga Shibe; Joel Zuma; Sdumo
Mtshali; Nolwazi MaShange Ngubeni; Dawn Thandeka King; Bongi Ndaba; Cebile
Mlaba; Sphelele Mzimele; Ntokozo Mzulwini; Denton Douglas; Gulshan Mia; Menzi
Biyela; Bonga Dlamini; Sthandwa Nzuza; Reggie Hoffman; Thomas Mpoeleng; Sipho
Myeni; Sam Hlophe; Thobani Mbhele; Nthando Mncube; Wiseman Mncube; Thobani
Nzuza; Malika Ndlovu; Thokozane Ndaba; Prim Reddy Chapter; Menzi Mkhwane; Mimmy
MaMtshali Ntaka; Sifiso Majola; Buhle Mazibuko; Mthokozisi Zulu; Zubase Zubase;
Mthandazo Mofokeng; Lomkhosi Makhubu; Zonke Mchunu; Zinzi MaNteyi Nsele;
Haseena Hans; Gcebile Dlamini; Sduduzo
Majola; Momelezi Ntshiba; Anathi Gobeni;
Lungelo Gwala; Vho Dakalo Wa-ha Munyai; Nkanyiso Shezi; Kwenzo Ngcobo; Monique
Hebrard; Sipho Zakwe; Sissy Khumalo; Bryan Hiles; Nomonde Matiwane; Qwabekazi
Qwabe; Ayanda Fali; Tembela Mgandela; Thandeka Qwabe; Lethlogonolo Sechogela; Phumza Ralo; Belinda
Henwood; Lihle Dhlomo; Ayanda Mngoma; Sixolile Funzo; Mpilo Masuku; Nombuso
Gcabashe; Sabelo Ndlovu; Brian Khawula; Thanda Myeza; Mbalenhle Cele; Sizwe
Nzimande; Aphiwe Dike; Zeb Ngobese; Luthando Mngomezulu; Nhlakhanipho Manqele;
among others. The list is endless.
At sad times, Courtyarders rally to
commemorate their own. Each death is followed by acknowledging the artist in a
DUT Memorial service.
This year, within months, two Courtyarders
who graduated in the same year were murdered: Sfiso Ntozakhe (found dead
together with his mother in Gamalakhe near Port Shepstone in January 2019) died
of an alleged hi-jacking and Zamani Simamane was killed in an alleged drive-by
shooting in March 2019 near Verulam. Their tragic and painful deaths sparked a
call by alumni members to pay tribute to Ntozake and Simamane, as well as
simultaneously commemorate classmate Lovejoy Msomi (who passed away two years
ago) and a more recent graduate Sphelele Mkhize who passed away at the end of
last year).
As head of the department, Professor Debbie
Lutge, was away, an organizing committee of former graduates sent out the call
for “a gathering” to celebrate the lives of these fallen Courtyarders once Prof
Lutge returned, as well as to pay posthumous tribute to other Courtyarders from
2000 to 2019. The organizing team lead by former Courtyarder, Tommy Kyd,
rallied graduates to pay tribute and included in his appeal: Coutyarders
Lovejoy Msomi, Nokuzola Yokota, Thumeka Sgwiji, Pinky Mtshali, Zah Cele and
many others.
The commemoration was held on April 27 at
the Courtyard Theatre and the programme included performances, memoirs and
tributes to these artistic Courtyarders by friends, colleagues and family
members.
‘Curtain call’, suggests “the appearance of
performers on stage after a performance to acknowledge the audience’s applause”
and therefore this ‘commemoration’ has been replaced with a “curtain call”, to
pay tribute to and show appreciation for their artistic excellence. All
performances will be dedicated to these posthumous artists with reminiscences
that include their educational journeys at the Courtyard Theatre and their
further artistic careers.
For all queries contact Pascar Dube on 083 313
0510 or email: pascardube@gmail.com or Tommy Kyd on 063 249 0206 or email:
tomdkyd@yahoo.com
Posts
