Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
FOR 19-year-old Thandolwenkosi Nyathi, World Theatre Day will mark more than a global celebration of the performing arts; it will be the moment she steps onto the stage for the biggest performance of her young career.
The Cowdray Park resident will make her debut as a Thespian in the Centre for Talent Development (CTD)’s premiere of Umendo, a production scheduled to coincide with World Theatre Day (WTD) celebrations on March 27.
Nyathi, who lives with her parents and sister, said the moment represents a major personal milestone in a journey that began while she was still in high school.
“I feel geared up for my debut gig as a Thespian. It’s an important occasion for me, and I’m looking forward to World Theatre Day,” she said in an interview.
She said she started her acting journey in 2022 as a Form Three student writing poems at Matopo High School.
“I then entered an acting competition where I won a certificate. That’s how this began for me. I believe acting is an inborn thing.”
The former Matopo Mission School and St Columba’s High School pupil achieved 14 points at A-Level and is pursuing studies in Tourism and Wildlife.
However, when she takes to the stage as the character Gugu in Umendo, she will showcase a different kind of talent — the expressive power of live performance.
The production is expected to explore themes of love, tradition and the role of cultural customs in contemporary society, placing the story firmly within the social landscape of Bulawayo.
Nyathi said rehearsals have been both exciting and demanding as she prepares for her longest performance yet.
“I honestly love rehearsals. They are amazing because they help relieve stress, but they can also be challenging. This will be my first time performing such a long production, so remembering lines and the important points for each scene is something I have to work hard on,” she added.
World Theatre Day is a global event observed annually on March 27 to celebrate the role of theatre in society. Established in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute, the day recognises the cultural significance of theatre and its ability to foster dialogue, creativity and understanding across communities.
Nyathi’s debut is supported by CTD, a grassroots arts initiative that trains young performers through community-driven theatre programmes aligned with Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Curriculum.
The programme has produced notable actors like Khekhe the Actor, Sigeca Madolx, Bathabile Dlamini, Lisa Sidambe, Shamma Banda and Charmaine Mudau, and Nyathi hopes to join their ranks.
For CTD coordinator Thabani Hilary Moyo, recognised by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the premiere is another step in the organisation’s mission to nurture emerging talent.
