All the world’s a stage for Queensburgh’s Nomtha and Phaki
The girls need your help to get them to Florida and realise their dreams.
FROM being moved from one foster home to the next and being raised by a domestic, friends, Phakanyisiwe Mbanjwa and Nomthandazo Shandu never imagined that one day they would fly to America to do what they love the most, be on stage.
The two Queensburgh Girls’ High School Grade 12 drama learners have been chosen to represent South Africa in the International Talent Showcase taking place in Florida, USA, next year.
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“The showcase aims to help us grow our brand and expose us to agents and scouts,” said Nomthandazo.
Nomthandazo plans to study philosophy, politics and law next year.
“The subject I will be studying is quite serious so I think I will need to do something exciting and freeing.
“I want to be an international actress. From the age of five, I was in school plays but I never got the leading parts that I wanted. For example in the Nativity play on the birth of Jesus, I was one of the three wise men when I wanted to play Mary. So now I have the opportunity to be in the forefront,” she said.
Phakanyisiwe has received an acceptance letter to study live performance at AFDA in Cape Town and she has also received a scholarship which will take care of her studies.
“Because I was in a children’s home, my passions chopped and changed and I never had the luxury of asking for parental advice on what I should focus my energy on, but drama has followed me,” Phakanyisiwe explained.
When the girls get to Florida they want to show off their best sides.
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Phakanyisiwe will share her dance and acting skills and Nomthandazo wants to grow in acting and hopefully be scouted by an international agent.
“I want to grow in the industry. Some people think that when you grow up as an orphan you don’t have a chance of succeeding, I want to change that,” Phakanyisiwe said.
They both believe that drama has been therapeutic for them and has helped them through difficult times.
“Drama allows you to put yourself in other peoples’ shoes and understand them better,” said Nomthandazo.
Queensburgh Girls’ High School principal, Thiru Motheeram, said, “As a school we encourage our girls to nurture all their talents. We are very proud of the achievement of Phaki and Nomtha, for them ‘all the world’s a stage’.
The girls are hoping and praying for sponsorship to help pay for their flights and travel requirements and anyone who wants to help must please contact the school.
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