Zama Msibi, a name to remember
In 2007 he found his way to Durban to study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He initially enrolled for a Bachelor of Science degree but he later changed to Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Media studies, following his passion and calling for the arts.
Zama Msibi is a poet, actor, storyteller and playwright. Not only is this 26-year-old a very talented young man, he is also from Newcastle.
Zama’s passion for arts, especially theatre, started in high school as he was directing plays for community projects in and around Newcastle.
In 2007 he found his way to Durban to study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He initially enrolled for a Bachelor of Science degree but he later changed to Bachelor of Arts in Drama and Media studies, following his passion and calling for the arts.
At this stage, his passion for the 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, he was encouraged to hone his craft as an artist. He became the director of Keen Artists and held other leadership positions in arts projects like Beyond Circles Durban Poets Movement.
In 2008 he broadened his horizon as he made his name as poet and storyteller beyond the boundaries of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He even performed at the Poetry Africa Grand Finale. He has done storytelling for events like KZNetwork, 16 Days of Activism 2009, KNI and Mthande and Umdubane Arts Company’s Cultural Exchange Programme.
Zama Msibi is one of the directors of Four Guys Entertainment which is known for shows such as Warning-This-Is-Durban. Zama is also the co-founder of the Soul Massage project, which launched the musical group, The Soil, in KZN and radio stations.
He has done theatre performances in Grahamstown and Market Theatre Laboratory and also wrote and acted in a theatre piece called Isibuko with Mxolisi Mtshali.
Zama founded a jazz show called Royal Jazz Session at the Royal House of Jazz which featured legends like Madala Kunene.
He is also actively involved in other non-arts initiatives. In 2008 he was steer-heading a project aimed at implementing education about HIV and AIDS as a module for the universities of South Africa. In 2011 Zama directed theatre productions for rural areas with the help of the Inquthu Company and the Newcastle Arts Development Organisation.
In 2012 he mentored a young female group called Abahlobo. This group was second runner up at the Ishashalazi Women’s Theatre Festival. Zama also wrote a short film called Teresa. This film landed him the award of first runner up Durban Film Office competition 2012.
Zama recently did a cameo role in a movie, Uhlanga. This film won five awards in the Zanzibar Film Festival. He also did a supporting role in a film Brothers in Arms.
The real action started for Zama when he wrote and directed a short film, Zwelihle, and scooped eight awards in the 48-Hours-Film-Project 2013. His films won the awards for best director, best use of genre, best cinematographer, best editor, best actor, best actress, participation award and the grand prize for the best 48 hour film Durban.
For his award winning short film, he was chosen to represent South Africa in New Orleans early March. If Zama’s film makes it to the Top 10 films, it will automatically book him a spot in the Cannes Film Festival, the biggest film festival in the world.
Zama Msibi, remember his name.
