Local artist recognised abroad
She had performed in many arts festivals and shows around the world including in Italy, France, Mozambique, Serbia, Namibia and Germany.
Nontokozo Phiri is a well-travelled artist from the province, with a heart of gold. The Matsulu-born lass holds a diploma in youth development, and a certificate in performing arts studies, arts administration and youth mobility.
She is currently pursuing a degree in government administration and development. Her overseas travels started when she was part of a student exchange group to Sweden for a Market Theatre laboratory.
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“I have performed in many arts festivals and shows around the world including in Italy, France, Mozambique, Serbia, Namibia and Germany.
“I am currently a senior trainer at Mime Art for Life, a performance group which started in Germany. I have been involved in arts tours in Germany for the past 10 years,” she said. Phiri and six artists from Mpumalanga and the Western Cape participate in a week-long performance tour in Germany every year. 
“This is where we do mime workshops and performances for school, at festivals and artistic spaces. The focus is to encourage and promote social inclusion by working more with people with special needs. We perform and do mime workshops in different centres for the youth and elderly. We also do similar activities in Namibia,” she said. Phiri’s artistic abilities include dance, drama, poetry and mime art. She has attended and facilitated many workshops.
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She has been on the panel of judges for a number of competitions, including Jika ma Jika, KaNyamazane Schools Art Festival and Mpumalanga’s Got Talent.
Phiri believes that a lot can be done to develop artists in Mpumalanga. “Funding is a big issue, but the biggest issue is not getting the proper support we need as artists in the province. Our talent is needed when they want to give us exposure and a T-Shirt, and when there are platforms that pay they are always given to national artists, which is not fair at all,” she said.
Phiri is inspired by people who make a living from what is available around them. She is the founder of the Labasikati Women Empowerment Project in Matsulu. Follow Phiri on her Facebook page, La-Basikati Empowerment Centre and her Facebook page, Nontokozo Phiri.
