Dr. Obakeng Kgwasi, Mrs Rondo Mpiti Spies, Nosithembiso Kuhlane, Kopano Appie, Amahle Maphumulo, Sibabalwe Brian Nyamende, Ntsikayekhaya Pute, Siphesihle Mkhize, Nhlanhla Radebe, Nkosingiphile Ndlovu, Luthando Zulu, Mihle Qangani, Atlegang Letebele, Sivuyile Binda, Akhona Luthuli, Imitha Fotoyi

Director/Producer - Nosithembiso Alyce Kuhlane 

Born and bred in the small town of Makhanda formally known as Grahamstown to many. Nosithembiso Alyce Kuhlane is currently at the University of the Free State where her love for the arts has blossomed into one of the greatest adventers of her life. Growing up in a small town filled with lots of talent, historic buildings and rich history has not only paved the way for her current growing artistic success but has made her appreciate the different forms of art and how every story that has been told through film, visual arts, on stage and in our small local communities, communicates and resonates differently to the person sitting next to you.

Nosithembiso has also had the honor of being in leadership posistions and achieving commendable academic achievements throughout her school life and university, equipping her with discipline, skill and patience especially when it comes to working with different people. She has also had the great honor of directing her first production, Umnqophiso the Covenant that made its first appearance at the National Arts Festival in 2025 and won a Silver Ovation Award.  

Stage Manager - Amahle Maphumulo

Amahle Maphumulo was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, and is currently based in Bloemfontein. She is in her third year of studying Dramatic Arts: Theatre and Performance at the University of the Free State, where she specialises in technical management.

Amahle has developed a strong passion for stage management, which she describes as the art of coordinating chaos. She served as the stage manager and production manager of the Ovation Award-winning production Umnqophiso. She also completed her Stage Manager workbook on the production 12 Angry Jurors, directed by Lorenzo Dampies, and performed in the Drama Department productions Alice in Wonderland and The Maker.

For Amahle, theatre is more than a passion it is a way of life. She values collaboration, discipline, and storytelling, and strives to help create spaces where meaningful stories can connect artists and audiences.

Vocal Director/Coach - Sibabalwe Brian Nyamende

Sibabalwe Brian Nyamende is a multifaceted creative, performer, and vocal director with a growing footprint in South Africa’s musical theatre and festival space. He is the founder of TSL Music, established in 2024, following a winning performance at the Sing Off competition. Since its inception, TSL Music has developed into a dynamic collaborative platform, sharing stages with acclaimed artists such as Buhlebendalo Mda and Nobuhle.

As a vocal director, Sibabalwe has built a strong reputation for cultivating powerful, cohesive ensembles, with extensive experience directing vocal performances for competitions and productions that have achieved multiple accolades. His work is rooted in blending technical discipline with emotional storytelling, shaping performances that resonate deeply with audiences.

His performance credits include appearances in productions such as Africa Day showcases and A Broken Sarafina, which was staged at the University of the Free State and later featured on the Vrystaat Arts Festival Fringe Programme. In 2025, he collaborated with NK Productions on Umnqophiso: The Covenant at the National Arts Festival, a production that received a Silver Ovation award. He also contributed to In Resonance, a Main Programme production at the Vrystaat Arts Festival 2025.

With additional appearances at the Vrystaat Arts Festival Open Stage (2024-2025), Sibabalwe continues to expand his artistic language across performance and direction. His work is driven by a commitment to storytelling through sound, exploring the intersections of music, identity, and collective expression.

Choreographer - Kopano Appie

Kopano Appie is a third year Drama student and aspiring choreographer and filmmaker. Her aspirations are driven by the desire to inspire those around her and allowing herself to be inspired. She is a diligent, hard worker and takes pride in the process and the product. All this she does to make her Creator proud because she believes potential that is not taken care of goes to waste.

Media and Marketing - Ntsikayekhaya Pute

My name is Ntsikayekhaya Pute, and I was born in year 2006, and was raised in Bloemfontein, in the Free State. I am currently in my second year of studying at the University of the Free State. I have obtained multiple academic achievements throughout my school career, including taking part in the National English Olympiad and receiving a Bronze Award. I have also been in multiple leadership positions in both my school career and in my first year at the University. I am now part of the media team at TSL Music and as well as NK Productions for the year 2026.

Performer and Singer - Siphesihle Mkhize

Siphesihle Mkhize is a final year student at the University of the Free State from Dundee, KZN with a passion for the arts. You’ll find him singing and performing in Siren: Echoes of the Water at this year's National Arts Festival
He has also been part of TSL Music, the theatre group he joined in 2024. That same love for the Arts carried him into Umnqophiso: The Covenant, where he played Xhanti and an Evangelist in the cast that won a Silver Ovation Award at the 2025 National Arts Festival. He brought it home too, serving as RC Arts and Culture for House Armentum in 2025 to make sure the arts weren’t just seen, but felt across campus.

Performer and Singer - Nkosingiphile Ndlovu

Nkosingiphile Ndlovu, a fourth-year Law student from Bloemfontein.

I started singing in 2023 with the City of Roses Choir, and within that first year, I was on stage at the World Choir Games. In 2024, I joined music assembly Lilongwe to keep growing vocally, and I was also crowned Mr UFS for all 3 campuses, an experience that taught me a lot about stage presence and confidence.

I’ve served as Head Mentor for House Armentum and represented my university internationally through Global Citizenship in Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia. I’m currently part of TSL.

On stage, I bring the discipline I’ve learned from law, the energy I’ve picked up from leadership, and a real love for music. I’m here to perform, connect, and enjoy every note of it.

Performer and Singer - Luthando Zulu

Hailing from the streets of Ulundi in KZN, Luthando is a passionate singer and perfomer. He is also part of the award wining choir group called TSL at the University of the Free State in Blomfontein. On stage he belives in bringing passion and discipline and enjoys every minute of being a vocalist.

Performer and Singer - Nhlanhla Radebe

Nhlanhla Radebe is a University of the Free State student. He is part of the choir group called TSL, and he is also a singer and a song writer.

Performer and Singer - Sivuyile Binda

Sivuyile Binda is a South African singer-songwriter and dynamic vocalist from Bloemfontein. As Assistant Conductor of Cantus Veritatis, she blends discipline with soul, weaving African heritage into contemporary choral arrangements. In 2025, she was part of Azania IV, expanding her reach in gospel and traditional music. First recognised as a rising talent at age 11 by News24, Sivuyile continues to channel music as a bridge between tradition and transformation.

Performer and Singer - Imitha Fotoyi

Imitha Fotoyi is a theatre-making practical major scholar who believes that theatre is a deeply rooted creative practice, a disciplinary space in which she navigated how to bring communities together. She is able to express her emotions through performances, where she brings her experiences into the space, in one room where society can look at its own face without a mirror because of relatability

Imitha aims to one day become a theatre coach, as theatre is not only about performances but is also about the ability to allow oneself to be vulnerable in front of a crowd of unfamiliar faces. THEATRE IS THE FUTURE!

Perfomer and Singer - Mihle Qangani

Mihle Qangani is a final-year Theatre Arts student specialising in theatre making, with a deep passion for storytelling through the body. Mihle approaches performance as a physical language using movement, gesture, and presence to explore themes where words are not enough.
Over the course of her studies, Mihle has received recognition for their expressive and collaborative approach to creating work. She is continuously growing, creating, and learning, treating every project as a space to experiment and refine their craft.

Driven by curiosity and a commitment to authentic storytelling, Mihle is dedicated to developing theatre that is honest, impactful, and rooted in the lived experiences of South African voices.

Performer and Singer - Atlegang Letebele

Atlegang Letebele is a Drama and Theatre Arts student currently majoring in film. She is working toward becoming a film director with a distinct creative voice. She is passionate about crafting stories that are not only visually engaging but also meaningful and thought provoking. She sees directing as more than just leading a set; it’s about shaping perspective, evoking emotion and creating something that stays with an audience long after the credits roll. Every project she takes on is a step toward refining her vision and telling stories that matter.

Performer and Singer - Akhona Luthuli

Hailing from the rhythmic pulse of Durban, Akhona Luthuli is a qualified journalist and multifaceted creative who views the arts as a sacred vessel for healing and social resonance. Akhona currently lends her voice and is a featured performer to the ensemble of *The Siren: Echoes of the Water*.

The award-winning performer and vocalist’s stage presence is defined by her versatility, most notably through her work in the production Umnqophiso: The Covenant as Thandi and the Evangelist. The production winning the prestigious Silver Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival served as a standout debut for Akhona, garnering immediate recognition for her craft from her very first appearance on the NAF stage.

Currently pursuing a BA Honours in Gender Studies at the University of the Free State, Akhona is dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and the stage by integrating gender-focused findings into the creative sphere while continuing on her journey as a vocalist for TSL music. Her commitment to advocacy is reflected in her role as a Zero Tolerance to Sexual Misconduct Ambassador at UFS, a path she walks with the ultimate aspiration of serving as a UN Goodwill Ambassador.

For Akhona, the art isn’t merely entertainment, it’s a catalyst for systemic change and the reclamation of the human narrative.