Difference between revisions of "Nomhle Nkonyeni"

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(****-****). Actress. Performed in
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[[Nomhle Nkonyeni]] (1942-2019) was an actress on stage and film.  
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''[[Dark Voices Ring]]'' (as part of the [[Serpent Players]] with [[Athol Fugard]] at the [[Space Theatre|People’s Space]]),
 
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''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]'' (at the [[Space Theatre|People’s Space]] and the [[Market Theatre]]),
 
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''[[The Hill]]'' (at the [[Space Theatre|People’s Space]]),
 
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''[[Poppie Nongena]]'' (as “Popppie” with [[CAPAB]]). 
 
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([[SACD]] 1981/82)
 
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(19**-) Actress on stage and film, and (according to Loren Kruger, 1999, p239) the first black African woman director of literary drama in South Africa. Started with the [[Serpent Players]] in Port Elizabeth in the rearly 1970s, playing “Aniko” in ''[[The Caucasian Chalk Circle]]'' for [[Athol Fugard]]. *Then went to [[Space Theatre|The Space]] in Cape Town (where her mother Elizabeth was a cleaner), to act in in [[Fatima Dike]]’s ''[[The First South African]]'' (1977, playing the mother) and  ''[[Medea]]'' (197*). When [[Rob Amato]] founded [[Space Theatre|People’s Space]], she played the “Older woman” in [[Zakes Mda]]’s ''[[The Hill]]'' (1980) ***, ***. For them also co-directed (with [[Rob Amato]]) [[Zakes Mda]]’s ''[[Dark Voices Ring]]'' (1979) and ''[[The Hill]]'' (1980). * Moved to the Transvaal?* and went on to become a stalwart of the [[Market Theatre]], working with [[Barney Simon]] on ** and for [[PACT]] at the [[Windybrow Theatre]], doing ''[[Ulovane Jive]]'' (1985) and ''[[The Time of the Hyena]]'' (1985)**. In 1997 she acted in [[Duma ka Ndlovu]]’s ''[[The Game]]''.?  NKONYENI, Nomhle. Together with [[Aletta Bezuidenhout]], [[Clare Stopford]], [[Nandi Nyembe]] and [[Jacqui Singer]] she workshopped and starred in ''[[Ulovane Jive]]'' which was the opening production of the [[Windybrow Theatre]] circa 1986. She starred in [[Tjaart Potgieter]]’s production of [[Mitzi Booysen]]’s ''[[The Time of the Hyena]]'' together with [[Pierre Knoesen]] and [[Elize Cawood]] at the [[Windybrow Theatre]] circa 1986. Starred in [[Wole Soyinka]]’s ''[[Death and the King's Horseman]]'' in 1992. Starred in ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' at the [[State Theatre]] and the [[Alexander Theatre|Alexander]] in 1992. Starred in [[Athol Fugard]]’s ''[[Boesman and Lena]]''  in 1993.  
 
  
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Received a [[Naledi Theatre Awards|Naledi Theatre Award]] for Lifetime Achievement in 2005
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Sometimes billed as '''[[Nomhle Nkoyeni]]'''.
  
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== Biography ==
  
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Nomhle Nkonyeni, one of the original members of the Serpent Players. The Last Bus – idea born while Fugard rushed to get them on thw last bus from Sshoenmakerskop to New Brighton. Friday’s Bread on Monday.
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She was born in Aggrey Road in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, in April 1942 and started her acting career in theatre at the age of 19 and would go on to become one of the first black women to set foot on an apartheid stage in South Africa. She started with the [[Serpent Players]] in Port Elizabeth in the early 1970s. Then went to [[Space Theatre|The Space]] in Cape Town (where her mother Elizabeth was a cleaner) before moving to the then Transvaal to become a stalwart of the [[Market Theatre]], working with [[Barney Simon]], and star in a range of TV and film productions. She later turned her hand to directing and in this, according to [[Loren Kruger]] (1999, p239) became the first black African woman director of literary drama in South Africa.
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Her first professional production was in ''[[Medea]]'' (Euripides) directed by [[Barney Simon]]. Second, ''[[The First South African]]'', by [[Fatima Dike]]. Around 1981 Poppie. ''[[Cupid in Tyhume]]'', Gr Fest 2006.
 
  
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In 2005 the [[Naledi Theatre Awards]] presented Nomhle with a Lifetime Achievement Award and in  2016, she was also recognised by the [[SAFTA]]s.
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Nomhle died on Wednesday, July 1 2019, in hospital in Port Eizabeth.
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==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
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With the [[Serpent Players]] in Port Elizabeth in the early 1970s, playing “Aniko” in ''[[The Caucasian Chalk Circle]]'' for [[Athol Fugard]].
 +
 +
''[[The Last Bus]]'' – idea born while Fugard rushed after rehearsals to get them on the last bus from Schoenmakerskop to New Brighton. ''[[Friday's Bread on Monday]]''.
 +
 +
[[Athol Fugard]]'s adaptation of a medieval play, ''[[The Cure]]'', performed by the [[Serpent Players]], including [[John Kani]], [[Winston Ntshona]] and Nomhle Nkonyeni, Grahamstown September 1971 during the 1820 Settler Festival.
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 +
Then went to [[Space Theatre|The Space]] in Cape Town (where her mother Elizabeth was a cleaner), to act in in [[Fatima Dike]]’s ''[[The First South African]]'' (1977, playing the mother) and  ''[[Medea]]'' (197*), her first professional role.
 +
 +
Performed in ''[[We Shall Sing for the Fatherland]]'' (at the [[Space Theatre|People’s Space]] and the [[Market Theatre]]), 1979.
 +
 +
When [[Rob Amato]] founded [[Space Theatre|People’s Space]], she played the “Older woman” in [[Zakes Mda]]’s ''[[The Hill]]'' (1980) ***, ***. For them also co-directed (with [[Rob Amato]]) [[Zakes Mda]]’s ''[[Dark Voices Ring]]'' (1979) (as part of the [[Serpent Players]] with [[Athol Fugard]] at the [[Space Theatre|People’s Space]]),
 +
 +
''[[Poppie Nongena]]'' (as “Popppie” with [[CAPAB]], 1981). 
 +
 +
For [[PACT]] at the [[Windybrow Theatre]], doing ''[[Ulovane Jive]]'' (1985) and ''[[The Time of the Hyena]]'' (1985)**.
 +
 +
Together with [[Aletta Bezuidenhout]], [[Clare Stopford]], [[Nandi Nyembe]] and [[Jacqui Singer]] she workshopped and starred in ''[[Ulovane Jive]]'' which was the opening production of the [[Windybrow Theatre]] , 1986.
 +
 +
She starred in [[Tjaart Potgieter]]’s production of [[Mitzi Booysen]]’s ''[[The Time of the Hyena]]'' together with [[Pierre Knoesen]] and [[Elize Cawood]] at the [[Windybrow Theatre]] circa 1986.
 +
 +
Starred in [[Wole Soyinka]]’s ''[[Death and the King's Horseman]]'' in 1992.
 +
 +
Starred in ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'' at the [[State Theatre]] and the [[Alexander Theatre|Alexander]] in 1992.
 +
 +
Starred in [[Athol Fugard]]’s ''[[Boesman and Lena]]''  in 1993.
 +
 +
In 1996 she acted in [[Duma ka Ndlovu]]’s ''[[The Game]]''.
 +
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In ''[[Boklied]]'', 1998.
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''[[Cupid in Tyhume]]'', Gr Fest 2006.
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 +
Film work included roles in ''[[Red Dust]]'' (2004), ''[[Zulu]]'' (2013),
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Nkonyeni also starred in e.tv's [[Scandal]] and played the queen mother in Mzansi Magis's [[Igazi]] in 2017.
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As writer and director she did a number of plays in 2017, including ''[[Truck Driver]]'', ''[[Umqa ka Ntsika]]'',  ''[[You be a Leader My Son]]'' and ''[[My Boarding School]]'', all at the Port Elizabeth [[Opera House]].
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TV productions include ''[[Tsha-Tsha]]'', ''[[Gaz’lam]]'', e.tv's [[Scandal]] and in [[Mzansi Magis]]'s ''[[Igazi]]'' in 2017.
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==Awards==
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She received an Artes in 1994 for her role in a radio production of ''[[Boesman and Lena]]''.
 +
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Received a [[Naledi Theatre Awards|Naledi Theatre Award]] for Lifetime Achievement in 2005.
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She was awarded the Safta Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 and in 2017, the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for her role in theatre. It was presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
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Astbury 1979; Tucker, 1997; Kruger 1999
 
  
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''The Herald'', 12 June 2006.
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[[SACD]] 1981/82.
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[[ESAT Bibliography Ar-Az|Astbury]] 1979.
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[[ESAT Bibliography Tra-Tz|Tucker]], 1997.
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[[ESAT Bibliography Kru-Kz|Kruger, Loren]], 1999.
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Interview by [[Ivor Markman]] published in ''[[The Herald]]'', 12 June 2006.
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[[My Boarding School]] publicity pamphlet, 2017.
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Interview with Nomhle Nkonyeni, 2017. ''[[The Herald]]'', May 12, 2017.
  
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''[[Daily Sun]]'', 11 July 2019.
  
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== Return to ==
  
−
Return to [[ESAT Personalities N]]
+
Return to [[ESAT Personalities N]]  
  
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]]
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Personalities|South African Theatre Personalities]]
 +
 +
Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
  
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 
Return to [[Main Page]]
 +
Ḁ

Latest revision as of 09:27, 12 May 2020

Nomhle Nkonyeni (1942-2019) was an actress on stage and film.

Sometimes billed as Nomhle Nkoyeni.

Biography

She was born in Aggrey Road in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, in April 1942 and started her acting career in theatre at the age of 19 and would go on to become one of the first black women to set foot on an apartheid stage in South Africa. She started with the Serpent Players in Port Elizabeth in the early 1970s. Then went to The Space in Cape Town (where her mother Elizabeth was a cleaner) before moving to the then Transvaal to become a stalwart of the Market Theatre, working with Barney Simon, and star in a range of TV and film productions. She later turned her hand to directing and in this, according to Loren Kruger (1999, p239) became the first black African woman director of literary drama in South Africa.

In 2005 the Naledi Theatre Awards presented Nomhle with a Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2016, she was also recognised by the SAFTAs.

Nomhle died on Wednesday, July 1 2019, in hospital in Port Eizabeth.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

With the Serpent Players in Port Elizabeth in the early 1970s, playing “Aniko” in The Caucasian Chalk Circle for Athol Fugard.

The Last Bus – idea born while Fugard rushed after rehearsals to get them on the last bus from Schoenmakerskop to New Brighton. Friday's Bread on Monday.

Athol Fugard's adaptation of a medieval play, The Cure, performed by the Serpent Players, including John Kani, Winston Ntshona and Nomhle Nkonyeni, Grahamstown September 1971 during the 1820 Settler Festival.

Then went to The Space in Cape Town (where her mother Elizabeth was a cleaner), to act in in Fatima Dike’s The First South African (1977, playing the mother) and Medea (197*), her first professional role.

Performed in We Shall Sing for the Fatherland (at the People’s Space and the Market Theatre), 1979.

When Rob Amato founded People’s Space, she played the “Older woman” in Zakes Mda’s The Hill (1980) ***, ***. For them also co-directed (with Rob Amato) Zakes Mda’s Dark Voices Ring (1979) (as part of the Serpent Players with Athol Fugard at the People’s Space),

Poppie Nongena (as “Popppie” with CAPAB, 1981).

For PACT at the Windybrow Theatre, doing Ulovane Jive (1985) and The Time of the Hyena (1985)**.

Together with Aletta Bezuidenhout, Clare Stopford, Nandi Nyembe and Jacqui Singer she workshopped and starred in Ulovane Jive which was the opening production of the Windybrow Theatre , 1986.

She starred in Tjaart Potgieter’s production of Mitzi Booysen’s The Time of the Hyena together with Pierre Knoesen and Elize Cawood at the Windybrow Theatre circa 1986.

Starred in Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King's Horseman in 1992.

Starred in Romeo and Juliet at the State Theatre and the Alexander in 1992.

Starred in Athol Fugard’s Boesman and Lena in 1993.

In 1996 she acted in Duma ka Ndlovu’s The Game.

In Boklied, 1998.

Cupid in Tyhume, Gr Fest 2006.

Film work included roles in Red Dust (2004), Zulu (2013),

Nkonyeni also starred in e.tv's Scandal and played the queen mother in Mzansi Magis's Igazi in 2017.

As writer and director she did a number of plays in 2017, including Truck Driver, Umqa ka Ntsika, You be a Leader My Son and My Boarding School, all at the Port Elizabeth Opera House.

TV productions include Tsha-Tsha, Gaz’lam, e.tv's Scandal and in Mzansi Magis's Igazi in 2017.

Awards

She received an Artes in 1994 for her role in a radio production of Boesman and Lena.

Received a Naledi Theatre Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005.

She was awarded the Safta Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 and in 2017, the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for her role in theatre. It was presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Sources

SACD 1981/82.

Astbury 1979.

Tucker, 1997.

Kruger, Loren, 1999.

Interview by Ivor Markman published in The Herald, 12 June 2006.

My Boarding School publicity pamphlet, 2017.

Interview with Nomhle Nkonyeni, 2017. The Herald, May 12, 2017.

Daily Sun, 11 July 2019.

Return to

Return to ESAT Personalities N

Return to South African Theatre Personalities

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page Ḁ

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