Mandla Innocent Masilela - Director & Writer 

Mthobisi Soko - Choreographer 

Leonard Sbusiso Themba - Producer 

Zinhle Masango - Stage Manager 

Cast:

Sbusiso Msiza as Mondli 

Thandeka Ngubeni as Nokuthula 

Khanya Nkosi as Lizwi

John Letageng as Simon 

Vinolia Nkosi as Mashenge 

Marley-Girl Mokoena as Alwande 

Mandla Innocent Masilela is an accomplished South African performer, writer, and director whose career in the arts began in 1998 at Izodela Arts Centre in Mpumalanga. His passion led him to study at Moving Into Dance Mophatong (MIDM), where he was awarded Best Dancer in 2016. Over the years, he has built a remarkable body of work across theatre, dance, and directing.

Masilela’s stage credits include powerful performances in Horn of Sorrow at the South African State Theatre, Bopha at the Gommac Festival, and uNontombi the Musical, where he secured his second leading role. He also performed internationally in Foot on the Grave at Theatre in the Park, Zimbabwe, and in Triumph by Sfiso Kweyama.

Evolving into a visionary storyteller, Mandla began writing and directing his own work. His debut as a writer-director came with Intwaso at the Market Theatre Laboratory, followed by Captured in Silence, which earned him the Best Director Award at the Mzansi Fela Festival held at the South African State Theatre. He later directed Amusa under the mentorship of renowned theatre-maker Princess Zinzi Mhlongo.

Masilela continued his artistic exploration with Ilijwa: The Curse in Cape Town's Theatre in the Backyard series, and starred in Uphi uBaba at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Now based in his hometown of Witbank, Mpumalanga, he serves as the Creative Director of Native Eye Creatives SA, a platform through which he has developed over ten original theatre productions. His initiatives include the Coal City Arts Festival, Native Poetry Expo, and the Women’s Theatre Collective, all rooted in community, transformation, and artistic excellence.

Sbusiso Stephen Msiza is a passionate South African actor, writer, and director with a strong foundation in both theatre and film. He has trained under respected figures such as Dorothy Ann Gould and Tsepo Ratona, and developed his screen skills through Ingomso Film Skills and Youth Development. On stage, Sbusiso has performed in productions like My First Day at School, Inzilo, and the award-winning Captured Silence at the Mzansi Fela Festival, where he received the Best Actor award. He also featured in Foot on the Gravel, earning multiple nominations at Wits University and the Soweto Theatre Festival. In film, he has worked on projects like Everyone Is a Suspect, In My Father’s Name, and Heist, collaborating with directors such as Zuko Nodada, and Rholi Nikiwe. Known for his depth, presence, and commitment to community-based storytelling, Sbusiso continues to be a rising force in South African performing arts.

Leonard Sbusiso Themba is a versatile artist with a profile spanning writing, producing, poetry, acting, and facilitation. Based in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, South Africa, Leonard is actively involved in the arts community. He is the Founder and Arts Administrator at Native Eye Creatives SA, and his work includes roles such as Writer, Producer, Poet, Actor, and Facilitator. Leonard's writing credits include the stage play GUESS WHOS BACK (2021), (2022) for Pula Theatre Play, and the play "Across The Border" AKA THOZIBO (2023), Thapelo adapted by Malik Mashinini & Zinhle Masango (Nomthandazo). He has also been involved in poetry events such as Black Xmas Event (2016) and Emalahleni Poetry Night (2017), and served as a Poetry Facilitator, Writer and Creator of the Native Poetry Expo in 2023, Producer of The Coal City Arts Festival 2022 -2023. The 2022 Capture In Silence Administrator, Let Guys Write Creator and Managing Director 2024, Native Community Champions Creative Writing Workshop Designer and Coordinator, Black Magic Multidiscipline event coordinator and designer 2024 -2025. He was The Women’s Theatre Collective and Nyathela Works Story Developer 2025. In addition to his writing and performance work, Leonard has also contributed to other projects such as Project 50k (Talent Collector & Sound Engineer), Emalahleni Poetry (Marketing Team), and the Umdisho Food and Music Event (Finance Manager).

Marley-Girl Dineo Mokoena (born June 1996) is a multi-talented South African actress, singer, poet, and events manager from Mpumalanga. Her journey in the arts began in primary school and grew through music, poetry competitions, and theatrical performances.

She has recorded original music, including the single “Wooo Shem”, and was featured on “Impahla” by Roque. A skilled performer and organizer, Marley played Alwande in the 2019 CODA Mzansi Fela Festival, earning Best Supporting Actress, and is a former cheerleader with Nyathela Works.

In 2025, she starred in the acclaimed Sarafina! production at Joburg Theatre. She is currently collaborating with LA Beats (Inkabi Records) and vocal trio Voca103, while also leading her own group, Marley-Girl & Band.

As founder of #PutPicnicUnderTheStars, a monthly showcase of local talent, Marley-Girl continues to inspire and uplift South Africa’s creative community.

Mthobisi Morgan Soko is a rising South African performer, choreographer, and theatre-maker whose career began in 2004 at Izodela Community Development Centre. He trained at Moving Into Dance Mophatong (MIDM), graduating with an NQF Level 4 in Performing Arts, and was awarded Best Dancer of the Year for his powerful solo 5 Mins Left.

Soko has worked with industry legends like Ray Phiri, Jerry Mafokeng, and Den Ndlovu, and performed internationally through Battery Dance (USA). He has acted in productions such as The Triumph and Silent Scars, and toured with Mzansi Magic in 2016. In 2019, he led inclusive performances with people living with disabilities, winning Mpumalanga’s Got Talent and performing at State Theatre’s CADO Festival. In 2020, he created and produced original works including My First Day at School, Ntandane, and a rework of 5 Mins Left.

Vinolia Beauty Nkosi, known as Vee, is an award-winning actress, writer, and director from Emalahleni. With roots in school plays and community theatre, she has grown into a versatile creative, working with Emalahleni Civic Theatre, Pillar to Post, and performing in major festivals including Grahamstown, MacFest, and Run of the Arts.

She starred in the Mzansi Magic film uThando Nenkanuko, performed at Wits Theatre, and won Best Actress at SANCTA (2017) and State Theatre CAIDO (2019). Her writing credits include Eyenkosii Isiimu, Incibilish’ (Money), and Unleashed the Real Me, with her most recent work, Tales of Many Women, showcased at the Women’s Theatre Collective 2025, hosted by Native Eye Creatives SA.

Thandeka Ngubeni, born on 25 January 1987 in Witbank, eMalahleni, is a passionate performer who began her artistic journey at the age of 16 as a traditional dancer with the community group Siyavutha. She quickly made her mark, winning Best Female Traditional Dancer at the Thabisong Youth Festival and Emalahleni Cultural Festival.

Her theatre journey took off in 2018 when she joined Nyathela Works, performing in industrial theatre and educational plays. She played the lead role of Phindisiwe in the stage adaptation of the Zulu novel Ubhuku Lwamanqe, and was featured as Nokuthula in Captured in Silence, which won Best Drama Play in 2019.

Thandeka continues to work with Nyathela Works and is committed to growing her presence in the acting industry. Her personal motto is: “Inspiring the inspired and informing the uninformed.”

Zinhle Precious Masango is a passionate South African performer whose career began in 1997 with ballroom and Latin dance, quickly expanding into traditional and contemporary theatre. In 1998, she joined Keaguqa Traditional Dancers under the mentorship of Mom Zodwa Nkuna. By 2001, she broadened her artistic reach by performing in Uph'Ubaba The Musical with Hlokwemamba Theatre Group, directed by Raymond Smangaliso kaNtuli—a pivotal figure in eMalahleni’s theatre development.

Over the years, Zinhle has featured in a range of acclaimed productions, including The Lion of the East, Sarafina (produced by the legendary Mbongeni Ngema), and Inzilo directed by Mthobisi Soko. Her powerful performance in Silent Scars, directed by Calvin Ratladi, earned her the Best Actress Award at the South African State Theatre and a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Zabalaza Arts Festival in Cape Town.

Her screen work includes a leading role in the Mzansi Magic short film Uthando ne Nkanuko. Zinhle has also contributed to arts education and outreach, performing in industrial theatre shows across Mpumalanga and collaborating with renowned figures such as Sfiso Kweyama (MIDM) and Mhlanguli George (Theatre in the Backyard). Her journey reflects deep roots in tradition, versatility across genres, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling.

Khanya Nkosi is a dedicated South African actress and performer, born on August 23, 1997, in the town of Middelburg, Mpumalanga. Her journey into the arts began at the age of twelve through an after-school initiative by the local Home Based Center, where her passion for performance was first nurtured.

She soon joined Aluta Continua, a theatre group focused on informative and edu-training performances. There, Khanya honed her skills while performing in HIV and AIDS awareness plays for schools and surrounding mining communities—using theatre as a powerful tool for social education.

In 2019, her talent was recognised when she landed a lead role in Captured in Silence with Unlimited Creative Arts, earning her a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Beyond acting, Khanya also discovered a love for pantsula dance, joining the Fede Nomdanso Pantsula Group. Despite being a newcomer, she quickly rose to become one of the standout dancers in the ensemble.

Khanya Nkosi continues to evolve as a multi-talented performer, committed to storytelling, movement, and using the arts to uplift and educate her community.

John Letageng is a seasoned Theatre Artist with nearly a decade of experience in the creative arts sector. His strong background in acting and directing is complemented by his skill in facilitation.  John has consistently delivered high-quality performances and productions that captivate and inspire audiences.  His passion for storytelling and collaborative spirit have led to successful projects.  His work includes roles as a supporting actor in "Unontombi The Musical" (2014) and "Kas' Lam" (2018), and lead actor in "Red Eye Soldier" (2016) and "Uphi ubaba The Musical" (2017), and supporting actor in "Captured in Silence" (2019 & 2021).  John also wrote and directed "Hidden Scars" (2019) and "Amusa" (2020), and directed "Across the Border" AKA THOZIBO (2022).  In addition to his performance and directing work, John has also worked as a Drama coach at Tshwane University of Technology (2019) and as a PR Officer for the Coal City Arts Festival (2023). He is committed to pushing the boundaries of theatrical expression, developing innovative and thought-provoking work that resonates with diverse audiences.