(Menzi
Mkhwane and Sabelo Ndlovu)
Durban actor, writer and producer Menzi Mkhwane has been nominated at the
prestigious Naledi Award in the categories Best Breakthrough Performance as
well as alongside Sabelo Ndlovu for Best Production of his play Pockets of Knowledge.
By this nomination alone he has flown the
KZN flag and has made many local artists proud. Mkhwane is a Durban based
Independent producer, published writer, actor and director. He is also the co-founder of Namalandi
Creativity which he co-owns with Mehrunnissa Mullah.
Over the past 10 years he has been steadily
building his profile as a highly influential figure amongst young artists. He
has also established himself as a consistent, reliable, talented brand in his
own right and the awards he has attained attest to this.
When he won his first award, Mkhwane says:
“It set the path for my national profile because I had not been recognised
outside my province. I was surprised that I won and I know how tough it is to
even get nominated so I am so pleased and humbled to be nominated a second
time.”
Mkhwane’s first Naledi award was won for
Best Breakthrough Performance and he has been nominated for a second time
alongside Anele Nene whom he directed in the piece as he put it together for
the run in Soweto. The production is co-created by Sabelo Ndlovu and Menzi
Mkhwane.
“Without the extremely creative genius
behind Sabelo Ndlovu’s thinking this production would have never received the
recognition it deserves. It took the work of both our minds to fully realise
that script and it is a very timeless story that seems to touch everyone who
watches it,” says Mkhwane acknowledging the co-writer of the play.
This nomination proves that KZN productions
as well the artists who create them are strong enough to be recognised on
bigger platforms in around South Africa. “Many times the talent that leaves KZN
never comes back and becomes Johannesburg talent and this is what we are trying
to change with our company,” says Mehrunnissa Mullah commenting on the work
that Namalandi Creativity is doing in KZN.
They both aim to not only get more actors
recognised but to be inspired to achieve great heights as Mkhwane has achieved.
They also hope that these KZN artists achieve more. “Winning an award is just
the beginning…” says Mkhwane commenting on the honour. “We want artists who join Namalandi
Creativity to inspire to develop their own productions and become responsible
for creating opportunities for themselves,” added Mullah.
The awards will take place later on this
year as the country is still under lockdown but Mkhwane is excited and humbled
to be sharing the spotlight with some of the top theatre practitioners in the
country. He believes that even if he doesn’t win, the acknowledgement is
enough. In the meanwhile enjoy the #LockdownEntertainment via various social
media platforms.
Namalandi Creativity can be found on
Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Email: namalandicreativity@gmail.com
WhatsApp or Call: Mehrunnissa on 073 616 6766
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