ABOUT NANZIKAMBE

 It all began under the trees in Sunny Side, Blantyre in March 2003 – Nanzikambe’s first production was African Hamlet. 13 theatre productions and many development projects later, we are still based under the trees in Sunny side, the scope and feel of the organization has grown, but the conditions remain the same.

Now an institute of excellence, producing work within Malawi, the SADC region, and Internationally, the organization attracts Malawi's most innovative creative talents: actors, musicians, dancers, choreographers, craftsman, designers, artists, researchers, writers, development practitioners and directors. Nanzikambe has the capacity to record and produce programmes for radio, film and edit for television and video, and tour productions with sound and lighting equipment.

Nanzikambe has a pool of expertise who collaborate with the organization on a contract basis.

THE CORE OF THE TEAM IS AS FOLLOWS:

MELISSA EVELEIGH - Creative/Executive Director

Co-founder and Creative Director of Nanzikambe, Melissa is a writer, director and performer-some have also said social and political activist as well as human development practitioner.  Since its establishment in 2003, Melissa has conceived a number of devised theatre productions for the company, and developed many theatre-for-development projects that have addressed Human Rights, HIV/AIDS, Justice, Gender Equality, Food Security and Education.  Hand in hand with the creative in-house team at Nanzikambe, Melissa undertakes writing, casting, training, producing and directing roles, in addition to running Nanzikambe as an NGO and ensuring that there is funding for the important work that the organisation carries out.  Her specialist interest is creating theatre that emphasises on the individual creativity of the performer - whether the performer is, for example, a farmer from rural Nsanje who is brought into an interactive theatre forum on HIV/AIDS, or a professional and experienced performer from Blantyre City who is exploring how to use masks to express how ancestors appear in dreams.  Melissa is thoroughly inspired by the talent in many spheres of life throughout Malawi, and loves being a part of people realising their potential.  Her work with Nanzikambe has taken her and fellow Malawian performers to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Norway and the United Kingdom - from top level decision makers to people at the grassroots.

WILLIAM LE CORDEUR - Programme Director

William received his BA (Drama Studies) Honours degree from the University of Natal in 2002. In 2003 he was employed as a theatre technician and director at the Hexagon Theatre in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. During this time he lectured part-time for the University of KwaZulu-Natal where he completed his MA (Drama and Performance Studies) in 2007.William has performed in a number of theatrical productions.  In 2000 he acted in an award winning comedy for the stage, The Gladiator. Other plays of note include Our Country’s Good and Love of the Nightingale, both by Timberlake Wertenbaker, Cloud Nine by Carol Churchill, Geography of a Horse Dreamer by Sam Shepherd and The Trojan Women by Sophocles.

In 2006, the century of Henrik Ibsen’s death, William was funded by the Norwegian Embassy in South Africa to produce and direct the controversial Ibsen drama, Ghosts. In 2004, William worked as an assistant director for a major production of Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss. He has also directed and collaboratively created a number of productions such as Horse Man, The Sacred Cow, Carpe Diem and The Enchanted Mountain. The process of creating theatre is William’s priority, and hence process theatre has been a priority of his learning and practice. Influences such as Augusto Boal and Paulo Freire have shaped his understanding of pedagogy in theatre and in life. William strives to create theatre for social change and stands by his motto, “Theatre is the Revolution!”

William is currently the Programme Director at Nanzikambe. He has directed a short series of performances for the UNDP that aimed to creatively illustrate images of the Millennium Development Goals in Malawi. This year he will be facilitating daily actor training courses with the core group of Nanzikambe performers. He will also be directing a major production. 

GRACE KUMWENDA - Program Manager

Grace has recently joined Nanzikambe Arts as program manager.  She is currently managing a Nanzikambe youth based project; Tisankhenji, which is implemented in partnership with Business Eye Creative Communications and Malawi Bridge.

Grace holds a Master of Arts from University of Witwatersrand in South Africa where she focused on television and film production. She is trained in script writing for film and stage, directing, film editing, video production and acting. She is an all rounded communicator.  Her interest lies in development communication and the use of different genres such as theatre, film and television as a tool for communicating social change.

Grace has vast experience in program management.  She has worked with Wits School for Human and Community Development as assistant project manager on an HIV/AIDS project which was focusing on issues of vulnerability to health of foreigners living in inner-city Johannesburg.  She has also worked as a teaching assistant and Guest Lecturer for the wits school of arts (drama department).

She is also a graduate of the University of Malawi where she did Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Drama; her minors were both Psychology and Philosophy.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with credit in 2005.

MPHUNDU BRIAN MJUMIRA - Media Officer

Born in1978, Mphundu whose name means twins started acting at a tender age of 8, doing Bible stories at church.He later tried to pursue a career in Computer and Marketing but deep down his heart he was bothered by his passion for theatre and it was not long before he finally decided to call it quits and make peace with his troubled heart. In 2005, Mphundu had his first grand breakthrough when he was contracted by Nanzikambe to pick up one of the major role of a Pilot in ‘The Little Prince’.

He has been involved in the creation of TV Where Are We comedy show, that stormed in the country with a bang! He has been given a nick name among audience and friends as Mzunga, after the character he is taking in the current production which is Accidental Death of Democracy.  People like featuring him in their music videos as he creates funny characters.  What I would advise is if you hear him performing do not hesitate to go and watch for yourself and an audience with him you will enjoy your time.  Anyway, I will be very tired to write more about him just know that he has been involved in so many projects and it will take me more than a year to finish writing about him. 

As a person, Mphundu is the warmest, the most sociable, hard working and fun loving guy. If he is not acting, then he is busy somewhere dealing with the press or other publicity issues. His Motto is: Work! Work! And then enjoy the fruits of your labor. Ha! Ha! Ha! Yeeeah!!!!!!.

SHINE PHIRI - Choreographer

Director,choreographer,actor and professional dancer, Shine is a co founder of the Renowned award winning Tumbuka Dance Company of Zimbabwe, the only full-time professional dance company in the country. He worked with the company for More than a decade working collaboratively with South African Musician Steve Dyer, artist Anne Golliver from Botswana and the great musician Oliver Mtukudzi. In 1994 he was nominated for the most promising dancer of the year at the Umbrella  international Dance Festival ,Johannesburg,South Africa. Shine later joined a new dance project , outside of the work with Tumbuka called ONAI as choreographer/dancer for creations which were performed at HIFA. His work has taken him across Europe and Africa. He features in the following films: Norwegian documentary ‘Artist in Africa’ , BBC 2, UK, documentary  ‘Portrait of Africa’, Slovakian Film  ‘Fountain for Susan’ M’net, South Africa ‘Front Row’ France  ‘Circle de minuit’ and he featured in  the French Programme ‘Velvet Jungle’ He also has been an adjudicator  for  the international
Institute for the Allied Arts.

VIOLET LYN KAPOLO - Administration Manager

She is 33 years old and Nanzikambe's Administration Manager
Did Secretarial with Polytechnic,Certificate in Bussiness
Administration with ABE.She has worked with Chagwamjira & Company
legal firm,Manica Mw,Eu public works promm.

LINDA MARY THIPA - Office Manager

A Malawian, born in year 1974, dated 03 in January at the famous hospital in Blantyre called Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital “group”.  She is  a Christian and she has a son named Roy born in 1999.

She is the Office Manager.....  she is a charming lady managing the Nanzikambe Arts Office from January 2008.  Just these few days, I’ve liked the spirit of work here, team work .... it’s really challenging!!!.

Holder of Secretarial certificates – Pitman and Diploma in Computer Systems Design and now doing ACCA studies. She always aim high... likes challenges... being true self to herself ... down to earth person – trustworthy since she’s always posted/promoted to accounts departments where she’s been working ... got to know about yourself!!! Nothing is impossible!

Really, Nanzikambe Arts is changing the Theatre Arts in Malawi and being one in the pioneers of the fast-growing theatre arts is just supafantamarvellous & giving out her experiences and skills... to the best of the organisation, she enjoys it!

AARON NGALONDE NHLANE- Media Officer

He  is a highly trained, talented and experienced actor. He has a Certificate in Practical Drama which he obtained while studying at Domasi College of Education, Acting Certificate from Fresco Theatre of South Africa and Nanzikambe Arts.He has performed five different plays with Nanzikambe. He has performed in Playing with Food, An African Dream which was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Mid Night Summer’s Dream, the Little Prince, which toured Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana  [Maitsong Arts Festival], and South Africa [ Grahams town National Arts festival], Come Freedom Come by Smith Likongwe, and Fridom by Jon Fosse, a renowned Playwright from Norway. Come Freedom Come, and Fridom toured Norway [ Ibsen Short Text Challenge], and the UK [ International Workshop Festival/ Theatre Nomad Event]. Aaron also held workshops with Black Nordic Theatre of Norway. Aaron also took a major role in the creation of the Accidental Death of Democracy, which was performed at the Grahams town National Festival of the Arts in South Africa. Working along side Nanzikambe’s Creative Team, Aaron has managed to develop sketch shows for Television. He has also helped develop Nanzikambe’s Theatre Laboratory, which aims to help young artists realize their talent.

“ We must pay tribute to tradition with actions, not words. We must cultivate the seeds of the past, which may flourish into new values on modern soil… We wish to influence man and the world with our art. We have got the courage to fight openly and fervently for the most important issues, because only such issues are worth fighting for.” Grotowski wrote.

Aaron’s inspiration is derived from the above important words!

HUSSEIN GOPOLE- Stage Manager

An experienced actor, dancer and stage manager.  He has been featured in previously Nanzikambe work for  acting, Stage and Production manager since its inception in 2003.  

He has been involved in various productions like African Hamlet as a performer, African Macbeth, a Flea in her ear (Wakutsina Khutu), African dream, Skipping without Rope – (a Jack Mapanje’s poetry).  He has toured with Nanzikambe around Malawi, in Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

He has also worked as a musician and Stage Manager in various projects Nanzikambe has carried for. He is also a traditional dancer and drummer and also a Founder of the Village Cultural Troupe Group which has toured several countries like Zambia to perform on African Freedom day in Lusaka, in South Africa during Big Brother House and he has managed to go to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama – Scotland in 2006 with his group. 

He is also a radio actor.  He has also acted with Villant Ndasowa’s film, Mysterious Mountain Green Bomber which is directed by British person called Mike as a Police Officer in-charge and also in Masika’s film called Baba’s trial as extras.He is also a cheorographer. Now he is working with Nanzikambe Arts as a full time Production and Administrative Officer.  He is also a First Aid Officer.

JAFALI AMADU- Production Manager

He has been a professional performer since 1997 when he began his career as a Stage and Radio actor.Radio plays include: Malume in Ndigwire Mtengowanji on MBC 1, Chekamuloni on Radio Islam.  A founder member of Village Cultural Troupe, which toured Scotland for Cultural exchange in 2006, and also an accomplished dancer.He has worked with Pride Malawi educating people about micro finance and also skilled in mask making.  In May 2004, he performed at the Harare International Festival of Arts (HIFA) Zimbabwe and Alliance de Francis in Zambia in the “Would be gentleman” in Wanna-Do Ensemble Theatre.

He has performed in the following production for Nanzikambe: Hamlet as a dancer, Playing with food as a Stage Manager, Little Prince as a Stage Manager, African Dream as a Stage Manager and Actor, and Breaking the Pot as a stage Manager which toured Grahamstown festival in South Africa, Accidental death of Democracy as an actor, stage and production manager.He has also taken role in Green Bomber Film which is yet to be released, directed by a British Director.He is now full time employee at Nanzikambe Arts as Production/Stage Manager

HAMILTON KAMEZA - Artist

A 26 years old young artist who is working hard in contemporary styles of fine art to achieve the most recognisable figure in the field of art in Malawi as well as internationally. From what he learnt, the little he read through, what he heard, what he’s  told, To what he chose according to what he knows  well, All the qualities, all the favourites and all the influential mindsets of good and well wishers have helped him with the self courage and influence to be who he is today.

He was once a Soccer player and it only paid him fitness.
He was then forced to join in the Mechanical practical course but later found that he was too smart for that.  Afterwards he got attracted to become a guitarist. And every time he plays and listens to its Rhythmical tones, it helps him to deeply think and figure out what his next artwork will be and say.

MISHECK MZUMARA - Programme Officer

After starring in the little prince, a play that toured across Southern Africa and Performed at The Grahamstown Festival, Misheck joined Nanzikambe Arts in 2007. He played a lead in ‘Come Freedom Come’ a production that toured Europe. He features in a documentary movie, ‘Green Bombers,’ which was directed by a British director. He also features in a movie, ‘Galamusi’ an educative story that encourages girls to work hard in their studies, produced by Mzuzu University Theatre Arts Group (MUTAG). Besides performing and script production, Misheck is contributing to the outreach work of the organization and managing liaison with high profile decision makers and partners. In his spare time, he is a writer of short stories and working on his yet to be finished and released novel ‘Mazangalewa is dead.’ He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Education) degree in Languages, Literature and History.

EUCLID KALANDE MTONGA -Accounting consultant

Semi-qualified Accountant ACCA Level || attempting Final Stage #0134966.
Did secondary education at Euthini Secondary School,1983-1987 then Phwezi Secondary School 1987.Diploma in Business Studies,Malawi Polytechnic 1988-1991. ACCA Certificate stage at Malawi College of Accountancy 1996.Self study up to Final Stage of ACCA.Hoping to study for CIPS.

15 years NGO experience with almost all major donors.Specialist and Consultant in Computer Aided Accounting Systems esp,computerisation of manual systems. Advanced knowledge of Accounting applications and design in Microsoft Access. Designed Financial,Loan monitoring and inventory applications.Worked in Water & Sanitation,Food Security,Micro Finance,Human Rights,Advocacy and Humanitarian Programs.Production of policies and procedures. Married 2004 with one son,Chikayanga,3

FRANCIS  MMAKA - HIV / AIDS  Officer

Francis  is  Nanzikambe’s  HIV and AIDS  Officer.  He  has  been  responsible  for  the  Interactive  Communications  Project  which  Nanzikambe  has  been  implementing  in  partnership  with  Malawi  Bridge  since  April , 2007. A  fully  a  fledged  Socio-economist ,  Francis  graduated  from  University  of  Malawi’s  Chancellor  College  in  1998  with  a  Bachelor  of  Social  Science  degree  majoring  in  Development  Economics  and  Social  Policy  and  Planning.

Francis  has  vast  experience  in  HIV and AIDS  mainstreaming , Gender  as  well  as  Rights  Based  Approaches  to  development.  He  has  worked  for  Care International  in  Malawi ,  Danida  and  African  Development  Bank  Women  in  Development  projects.

With  such  an  experience ,  Francis  has  attained  fluency  in  articulating  integration  of  cross-cutting  issues  of  HIV and AIDS , Gender  and  Rights  Based  Approaches  in  sector-wide  approach  to  rural  development.  He  has  dealt  with  donors  like  Bill  Gates , Johns  Hopkins  and  ArtsVenture.

MTUNDUWANTHA CHIWOMBA - Driver

He is Nanzikambe Arts 25 years old driver with 5 years experience.  After working for Mr. Awosi Mbewe of St. Andrews from June 2005 to July 2007 as a driver, he joined Nanzikambe Arts last year on 19th October 2007.

He has seen that Nanzikambe Arts has good working environment and members of staff are very friendly. 

BASIMENYE MWALWANDA
Program manager
Basimenye has a degree in Drama and is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Applied Theatre at the University of Witswatersrand, South Africa.  She is the Program Manager for Nanzikambe arts in Malawi and is one of the few professional women theatre practitioners working with local communities. She helped to develop and establish the Nanzikambe vision, building it to become a recognised organisation of best theatre practice for education, activism and social change in the country.   For the three years she’s been with Nanzikambe, Basimenye has envisaged and managed several programs including Nanzikambe’s groundbreaking children’s interactive radio series called Tisankhenji and was instrumental in the design and implementation of a massive national event called Nora’s Sisters which aimed at re-conceiving the image of women in Malawi. She is also a certified trainer and has trained various groups such as Paralegals; Community Based Activators under Nanzikambe’s HIV and AIDS Interactive Communications Programme called “Mtsikana Samala” and facilitated high-profile performance-led decision maker’s conferences around issues of leadership and democracy in Malawi. Besides her managerial responsibilities, Basimenye the artist is committed to finding means through which theatre can be used to effectively bring about quality of life on those reached and her personal ethos is based on Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy which challenges all of us to be the change that we want to see. .

FORMER NANZIKAMBES

Muthi Nhlema - Executive Producer

Has gone on to The British Council Muthi has been Company Manager for Nanzikambe since August 2004. As a performer he has appeared in Smith Likongwe’s productions Revolution of the Dead, Mission to Nyanjania, Destination Chaos and Operation Anarchy. Radio credits include One Legged Woman and My Own Eye for MBC. With training in active learning and forum theatre under his belt, Muthi has trained paralegal's for Penal Reform International and has written and directed message-based plays for Women’s Campaign International to assist training of women MP's.

Muthi played Macduff in African Macbeth and Robert Chirambo in Wakhutsina Khutu...a Flea in Her Ear. Muthi is currently managing Nanzikambe’s partnership with Business Eye in developing the Malawi Bridge / UNICEF funded project Tisankenji – an interactive radio series to air soon on MBC1&2.

Kate Stafford - Founder and first Artistic Director

Kate Stafford’s great artistic achievement whilst in Malawi was to Africanise a trilogy of Shakespeare plays: The African Hamlet, African Macbeth and An African Dream, and adapt the famous French farce by Feydeau, A Flea in her Ear. Kate trained in theatre at the world famous Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK, and went on to work as an actor in theatre, film and television. In Malawi she worked for Story Workshop before setting up Nanzikambe in early 2003.

Since leaving Malawi in 2005, Kate has set up the London based inter-cultural arts organisation Bilimanhkwe Arts.

Thoko Kapiri - Producer

Thoko made his acting debut for Nanzikambe in A Garden of Plenty at the Young Vic, London, UK in 2003. Graduated from Chancellor College, University of Malawi with a BA double, majoring in Drama and English literature, in May 2005 to join Nanzikambe as producer.