PhandiCraft is a company owned by Tshepiso Shikwambane and Mbali Malinga, whose passion is the drama and dance industry.
The company was founded in 2016 as the ladies saw a niche market to share their skills, talents and gifts with young children after completing their studies in drama and performance art at Witwatersrand University. Shikwambane grew up in Chiawelo, Soweto and has featured in soapies and feature films in South Africa. She said she knew she wanted to be an actor form a young age.
Malinga born in Kwa-Thema, went to an art school where she matriculated and graduated with a BA Honours Degree in Dramatic Arts at Wits. She has graced the stage at Market Theatre and acted in a short film to name a few.
As the economy stands with high rates of unemployment and the cutthroat industry of entertainment Shikwambane and Malinga refused to wallow about the hardships faced. Instead, they decided to explore their passion and tapped into the exploration of indigenous games, folk tales and language through active drama to enhance children’s confidence, creativity and imagination with their company.
The focus of their company is to develop social skills, coordination and concentration in children’s early-stage development. They use core elements of African languages. According to Shikwambane and Malinga, being able to communicate to people in a language they understand is very important and impactful in the art industry.
Another important aspect they would like to grow in their company is how the community is impacted. They have broadened out to other provinces, travelling to offer drama and dance lessons in different languages.
They said, “W would like to help with professionalising the performance art industry from the grass root level because the community at large does not yet know the importance and value of performance art. Thus by teaching kids through a fresh and artist medium like active drama and active dance we are able to illustrate the student’s growth and capabilities.
“It is such an exciting and liberating process/experience beyond our measure.”
