Siyaya Creatives

Saimon Mambazo Phiri – Producer/Director

“I really cannot remember when and how I got into theatre, but I think theatre got into me.” That’s what he says when asked about his initial involvement with theatre. Mbazo fell in love with Siyaya (then NASA Theatre) during the days of the late Mike Sobiko’s Makinte and was enrolled as one of the NASA junior artists until he left school in 1992 when he fully got involved with the work of NASA theatre performing his first full show in Makinte during Southern Africa’s Linkfest ‘93.

Since then Mbazo has performed and travelled with NASA/Siyaya and was also part of NASA’s duet production with Shiftwork Physical Theatre called ‘Bridges’ that went on tour around Scotland and England in 1995. Mambazo, as he prefers to be called, has done all sorts with NASA Theatre and other music, dance and theatre groups in Bulawayo, having been part of several joint projects, served on different posts and worked with Linkfest Festival, Imbizo, WOMAD, Black Umfolosi, Bulawayo Association of Drama Groups, Masibemunye Artists Association, Bulawayo Arts Council, the School of African Awareness, Black Arts Theatre Cultural Collective among others. He has also risen in the ranks at NASA theatre, doing all sorts, until his recent reign as the Producer/Director taking after the late founding director, Mike Sobiko who passed on in 1997.

Among some of this young producer’s work is “Children from Mbazoland”, “My Friend R10”, the adaptation of Township Artists’ “Umhlola”, Siyaya’s debut CD album “Yebo Yes!”, “Sakubona” and the much travelled “Dlala Ma-Afrika” a dance theatre show that has enjoyed international success appearing as a special highlight at the WOMAD Reading Festival 2001. Mbazo part owns Sabela Music Projects whose major aim is to take Zimbabwean music and arts to a higher level. Recent work includes “Thatha”, Siyaya new theatre show KokobaTown and OnkeOse set to travel the world between 2007 and 2010. Saimon Mambazo Phiri, a young yet so enthused writer, director and producer with a definite future signalling a brighter future and a new level for Zimbabwe’s arts.

Tawanda Moyo – Assistant Director

He is an all rounder who has worked his way to grabbing the leading parts in both the theatre shows that make up Emangweni tour. He is one actor who will draw tears to your eyes with the vigour that he puts when on stage. Tawanda hails from the old school NASA and has been in Siyaya’s major productions since 2001. Past work include “Victim” “Jive Sinjonjo” “Makinte”. He is currently Mambazo’s assistant and is establishing himself in the European Arts education scene.

Thubalenkosi Gumede – Dancer/Choreographer

Also known as “Toots” he is a “what you don’t do”, an inter-displinary artist hitting you with an all round dance talent. Thuba hails from Siyaya’s junior policy. Having started his involvement with the arts while at Mzilikazi High School, going on to work with Savuka Community Arts, Thuba has established himself as one of Bulawayo up and coming choreographers. Recent work includes Thatha and OnkeOse. He is an established dance teacher in international schools and has attended various dance workshops, symposiums in the last few years.

Richard Masuku – Musician/Composer

An actor, musician, and dancer. He joined Siyaya at an early stage. He has played a big role in creating and developing Siyaya’s productions through his talent in music. He is Siyaya’s General Manager. Richard has been at the forefront of our recent musical recordings i.e. Yebo Yes & KokobaTown as both lead singer and composer.

The Artists

Tonderai Phiri

A good example of determination and hard work paying off, having rose from Young Siyaya to see his break through in Siyaya’s 2002 International collaboration in the adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet where he deservedly and perfectly played the key role of Romeo, Has toured with Siyaya in the their last Euro tour which has braced him for a show down to prove his mantle in the industry and armed with the powerful gift in music dance and theatre one can rest assured that he is destined for unreachable heights.

Sibonokuhle Sithole

Her voice fits well with the music of Siyaya. She is also a good actress and is down to earth. Her smile on stage would make you wish she could stay that way, smiling. She is the new kid on the block and she is destined for great heights in this industry. Using her powerful tool — humbleness — and determination she has asserted herself among the best at Siyaya.

Antony Gwarimbo

From drumming at Mzilikazi High School drama club during his school days, he then joined Talented Actors and Singers Alliance (TASA) and now he is drumming to success with Siyaya. Antony nicknamed “Boy” has done several workshops with kids and schools locally and abroad.

Lucy Mhlanga

A good singer and dancer, she is down to earth and is creative in acting. Ngqethe, as she is popularly known, has always been a role model to all the young girls at Siyaya and in our community of Makokoba.

Brighton Chisale

A comedian who always keeps people laughing with his funny jokes. “Nhloko” as he is called by many people discovered his talent with the upcoming arts group Imvimbi in Entumbane before landing at Siyaya. 2007 has seen Brighton break a leg in the international world. He is a promising drummer.

Tendai Mudimu

An artiste, drummer and sound engineer by design. Tendai is one of the pioneers of NASA theatre. He has spent the last 10 years working in Harare with various bands among others, Albert Nyathi & imbongi. He has established himself as one of the best drummers and sound engineers Zimbabwe has to offer.

Makhula Moyo

He is a young talented artist who always leaves his audience crying for more with his nimble moves and the way he dances and sings. Makhula joined Young Siyaya in 1999 his determination and vigour saw him being drafted to the touring productions, he is one of the boys with aims and always wants to achieve his goals.

Pride Phiri

Young talented drummer, actor, singer from Young Siyaya, has worked hard that he has seen himself in the Siyaya “A” Team. Been in and out of major Siyaya productions and has had stints with other arts groups in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Ishmael Muvingi

Ishmael grew up in the family of Choral music and Christianity. In 1989 while at school he began to engage himself in many cultural activities and since then has never looked back. He has worked with Bulawayo’s Sadalala Amajekete, Umkhathi Theatre Works and was part of the Zimbabwe Dance Company during the SADCC Dance Festival in 2001. Ishmael also appears in 2 of Zimbabwe’s main television soaps.

Sheperd Luwis

Sheperd started singing and dancing at the age of thirteen, joining the young Siyaya group in Makokoba. After finishing his O Levels, he took the arts seriously to expand his talent and worked and performed in a number of Siyaya shows as a dancer and a singer and occasionally as an administrator. To date he has led and directed the recent Young Siyaya projects and has travelled to Botswana with Siyaya.

Siphiwe Dube

Young Siphiwe is a talented young woman who is promising to make a name in the industry. She does singing, acting and dancing. The soft –spoken multi-talented actress who hails from young Siyaya. One of the new kids in the international circuit taking lead vocals and characters in the on-going productions. She’s one character who is always keen to learn more.

Thulani Javas Sibanda

Born in 1982, Javas started his career at Siyaya as a dancer, singer and actor with the Young Siyaya then slowly got drafted into the administration of the group where he has showed great will to learn and execute administrative duties. Working closely in hand with the director of Siyaya he attributes his current status to the ability to confirm and learn things with each day and says his great inspiration is his friends who inspire him to reach to greater heights.

The Other Artists (Young Siyaya & Zambezi Express Cast)

Consolata Ngwenya

Consolata boasts of an artistic CV that is so impressive enough to make her a CEO, she has been there and done it in the arts industry in all spheres of performance. Among her repertoire “Seh” as she is popularily known has had a hand in film, featuring in productions by the Zimbabwean renowned Tsitsi Dangarembwa. She is a holder of the National Arts Merit Awards (Best Dancer of the Year), she has performed in the works of Ngugi wa Miri, Albert Nyathi, Bambelela Ensemble and Sunduza. There is no end in describing the potential of Consolata, which makes her a must look out for in Zambezi Express.

Kevin Sibanda

Kevin aka “Skoro” is one youngster that’s has gained experience in live performances, having performed along the lines of Aleck Macheso, Tongai Moyo and Oliver Mtukudzi during his stint as a live stage dancer for Beater Mangethe. Skoro brings the fusion of contemporary dance into traditional dances and poses a good promise for Siyaya and he is currently riding high in the Young Siyaya ranks. This is also his major debut into the international circuit.

Benhilda Ngwenya

Rising from Bulawayo`s celebrated IYASA, “Punky” as she is known by many brings in a remarkable voice in Zambezi Express, she is a performer of great ability and has matured in the arts over the years, having started at Mpopoma High school during her School days. She has toured with IYASA regionally and internationally among her accolades and achievements is her appearance in the show Mama Africa which toured Germany in 2008. Punky exhibits great talent and is a promising artist with a bright future.

Cleopatra Mugadza

From the ranks of Young Siyaya comes Cleopatra, a girl who`s main focus in the arts is to prove that women can survive and excel in the industry, academically well vested, Cleo cuts across the boundary and is quick to show off her potential. A singer, dancer and actress she is a good sign of how bright the future of Siyaya is…

Mkhululi Khanye

A true veteran that has stood the taste of time in the arts, having made great progress during his stay at “African Awareness Community Theatre” Mkhululi joined Young Siyaya in 2007 and has managed to work his way to the ranks of production manager at Young Siyaya. Mkhululi possesses the great and much needed discipline in the arts. A soft spoken performer of great ability Mkhululi dreams of being there when Siyaya scales to greater heights.

Soniea Mbaya

“Soso” believes that it is her confidence that has enabled her to get to where she is now. A lot of serious work and a bit of play is her recipe towards success She is an all round artist who defies body to come out as a marvelous performer to watch. Soniea started her at School in Mpopoma and is also one of the original members of IYASA. A singer, dancer par excellence.

Peter Ruwanga

From Sunduza to many other arts group around Bulawayo, Peter has finally found home at Siyaya. He is one person that is quick let out that he had thought he knew all about the trade of Art until he joined Young Siyaya. Commonly known as “Mfundisi”, Peter is a dancer and performer who has worked hard to be where he is now. He has toured regionally with Sunduza dance troupe.

Precious Phiri

Known to many as “Gerlie”, Precious has had many stints with a number of groups in Bulawayo such as Hloseni, Amawumbo and New Age before coming to settle at Young Siyaya. She says that Siyaya has taught her to be focused not in her life only but in her career as well. Younger sister to Pride Phiri, she has never felt at home more than at Siyaya and hence vows to continue in the Arts. Gerlie is a dancer and singer of exception and also hold the future of Siyaya.

Leon Sivako

Another good add in the lists of best drummers at Siyaya is Leon, a product of Young Siyaya. Leon has grown to impress with his skill in drumming and ability to excel in all fields, a dancer and singer of equal excellence, a true testimony of the success of Siyaya`s policy of maturing new talent.

Nozipho Tshuma

Another breed from IYASA, Nozipho defies age to deliver a mature and appealing performance. Also having been a cast member of “Mama Africa” and toured with IYASA to Austria before Nozipho is known to many as “Poyi” and is not a stranger to International audiences and she says the experiences she has gained ever since joining Siyaya and Zambezi Express has gone a long way in her growth not only as an artist by as an individual.

Blessed Chakomoka

The best two words that can describe Blessed are “hardworking and determined” after these you can then add committed, talented and focussed. He is one boy that will tell you straight up what he desires in life and how he hopes to achieve it. To him Art is the beginning and end. Blessed has grown to a pillar of Young Siyaya performance. Straight from Imvimbi where he made waves, Blessed convinced his peers to join Siyaya and realise their dream. Being part of Zambezi is indeed a dream come true for this young man.

Cheryl Mabaya

Best described by many as the new kid on the block, Cheryl is one of the youngest member of this cast, a dancer in the caliber of the best young and upcoming. Cherly ranks from IYASA junior policy, having managed to work her way up the top brass at IYASA, this is her first ever major involvement in a touring production and she says to her everything is a learning process and she never stops wanting to learn.

Bekezela Ndlovu

Hailing from Imvimbi Arts, still young in the arts Bekezela tasted the first of professional arts at Young Siyaya and from that onset he has continued to impress. Cutting across dancing, drumming and singing. Zambezi is his first ever major production.