Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Matrine Mleya, widely known as Spax, is a woman of many talents — an actress, dancer, and choreographer whose career spans nearly three decades in the creative industry.
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub caught up with the Bulawayo-based artiste resident in Nkulumane suburb, who reflected on her extensive journey in the arts sector.
Spax’s love for the arts began in 1997 while in Grade 4 at Mgombane Primary School, where she joined the school’s dance and drama club before branching into modelling and drum majorettes.
“With my mother as my inspiration, I nurtured my talent throughout my school years,” she said.
“After primary school, I joined a local Nkulumane dance group led by Robert from the Skull Crackers Musical group. Later, between 2003 and 2004, I was part of Inyathi High School’s dance and drama club.”
Her professional journey took off in 2009 when she joined Victory Siyanqoba, an arts organisation, where she featured in several thought-provoking theatre productions written and directed by Desire Moyo.
“Between 2011 and 2014, I was with Simunye Simunye Arts, under the direction of Future Dube and later Tichaona Karuma. This gave me the opportunity to work alongside legends like the late Dr Simon Mahlaba Banda, Ndolwane Super Sounds, and Jeys Marabini,” she said.
After gaining vast experience, Spax turned to mentoring young dancers.
“I began choreographing traditional dances for Jikinya competitions at schools such as Mgombane, Sigombe, Morray Primary, and Mncumbatha Secondary School. I also worked with King George and Sir Humphrey Gibbs schools.
Mgombane Primary School’s dance group, which I choreographed, performed at the 2024 Independence celebrations at White City Stadium in Bulawayo,” she said.
She then co-founded Izenzo Performing Arts, working with NGOs, including PSI Zimbabwe, on male circumcision awareness campaigns.
At one point, Spax took a four-year break from the industry due to challenges she described as “beyond my control as a woman in the arts sector.” However, she made a strong comeback in 2022, venturing into film.
“I was cast as the lead actress, Bathabile, in a short film by Aldridge Nqabayomuzi Gumede, a Cape Town Film and TV student,” she said.
She has since choreographed contemporary dances for the Association of the Deaf (Assod) and featured in The Other Cecil, a theatre production by Sunduza Dance Theatre. Her acting credits include Izeneze (ZBC production) where she played Zex’s wife, Izitha (Ekasi Home of Light production) where she played Thereziya, Mr Wrong (film by Nonduduzo Ncube) where she played NaThamu, Umthunzi Womendo (ZBC production) where she played Madawu, and Ijazi (film by Sipho Kamanga).
Spax’s talent has caught the attention of South African filmmakers, opening doors to exciting new opportunities. She recently secured a role as a background artiste in South African production Isitha: The Enemy.
“I was cast in The Heir, a Native Arts Media theatre production, where I played Soshangane, a Ndebele Chief, and Chulu, a Shona warrior,” she said.
“I also secured a background artiste role in Isitha: The Enemy, a South African Black Brain Pictures production, and appeared on SABC 3’s Ready Steady Cook as a studio audience artiste.”
Looking to the future, Spax is determined to leave a lasting legacy. She recently founded Inganani Arts and is working on The Message, a theatre production by Stanis Theatre. She is also involved in another new project with Native Arts Media.
With an impressive résumé and a passion for storytelling, Spax continues to push boundaries in dance, theatre, and film, proving that dedication and resilience can take Zimbabwean talent to international heights. – @mthabisi_mthire
