Zwelihle

Profile of Zama Msibi (poet, storyteller and playwright)
Zama Msibi (28) is a poet, actor, storyteller and playwright based in Durban . His passion for arts,
especially theatre started at high school as he was directing plays for community projects in and
around his hometown Newcastle, in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal.
In 2007 he came to Durban to study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to do a Bachelor of Science
degree which he later changed to Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Media studies, following his passion
and calling for the arts. It is here where his passion for arts was intensified as he joined a university￾based arts group, Keen Artists. Keen Artists has produced artists like Bongi Dube, Mxolisi Mtshali,
Sifiso Nene, Busiswa Gqulu to name but a few. Working with these artists encouraged him and made
him to hone his craft as an artist. He became the Director of Keen Artists and he held other leadership
positions in arts projects like Beyond Circles Durban Poets Movement.
In the dawn of 2008 he stretched his horizons as he made his name as poet and storyteller beyond the
boundaries of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2008 he performed at the Poetry Africa Grand
Finale. He has done storytelling in events like KZNetwork, 16 Days of Activism 2009, KNI and
Mthande an organization that looks after the old-age people. He is one of the directors of “Four Guys
Entertainment” which hosted shows like “Warning-This-Is-Durban, amongst others”. Co-founder of
the project called Soul Massage which launched the famous musical group “The Soil” in KZN and
radio stations.
He toured throughout the country with Ukhozi’s Nyusivolume where he was performing his poetry in
isiZulu managed by the Legend in the music industry Vusi Leuw. 2010
He has performed as an actor in theatre in places like Grahamstown and Market theatre Laboratory.
He wrote and acted on a two hander called Isibuko with Mxolisi Mtshali.
Founded the Jazz show Called “Royal Jazz Session” at Royal house of Jazz (Royal hotel Durban)
which featured Legends like Madala Kunene.
He is also actively involved in other non-arts initiatives but use his “theatre for development” skills to
speak louder, as in 2008 he was steer-heading the project aimed at implementing HIV and AIDS
education as a module in the universities of South Africa. He also held leadership artistic positions in
non non-profit organization by the name Generation Abstain Zithibe (GAZ) 2009 hosted by Center of
Hope and the Ethekwini Community Church. In 2011 directed theatre productions for rural areas
which are Inquthu Company and Newcastle Arts development organization.
In 2012 he mentored young female’s group called Abahlobo which became second runner up at the
Ishashalazi women’s theatre festival at Kcap. Wrote a short film called “Teresa” which got a first
runner up award in the Durban Film Office “my story, my heritage” competition 2012.
A number of Zama’s Newcastle based ex-trainees actors were recently seen on one of ETV’s Ekasi
stories title ISANGOMA produced by Sobabili production. Some of his ex-trainees are also seen in
Mzansi magic.
He Produced “Izindaba Zendakazo” for IGAGASI fm with Stand up Comedian Siyanda
Maphumulo(2014).
Zama recently did a cameo role in a movie called Uhlanga which won 5 awards in the Zanzibar Film
Festival and 1 in Nigeria with lead actors Sbo da poet and Linda Sibiya written by Ndaba ka Ngwane.
He also recently did a supporting role in a movie called “Brothers in Arms “which will be screened on
etv sometime in September 2013.
2013/2014 He wrote and directed the short film Zwelihle which scooped 8 important awards in the 48
hours film project 2013 in which amongst them is Best Director and Best Film in Durban; went to
New Orleans to receive an official award and screening of this film.
2015 He produced, wrote and directed a one woman theatre piece titled TWIRLING SKIRT, which
was seen at the Catalina Theatre and Wushwini Art Centre Theatre.
He is also working as a production assistant on various corporate advertising projects for SCHOLARS
AND GENTLEMAN including Disney and the multi-award winning “To Skin a Cat”.
His recent TV works include directing the films INDUMBE and UNONGEDI which aired on Mzansi
magic 161 and were a very great success.
He is currently developing a Durban based sitcom on homeless people living in an old abandoned
subway; it is titled “ABAFWETHU”.
Zama has a vision of telling African stories to the world in the best way possible.