DUT alumni nominated for Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards

Ehostela’s Thobani Nzuza is nominated for Best Actor in TV. Photo by Mzansi Magic.

DUT ALUMNI

nominated for Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards

ANDILE DUBE

The 09th Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards nominees were unveiled recently and nine former students from the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Faculty of Arts and Design have been nominated.

Drama & Production Studies’ Vuyo Biyela has been nominated for Best Newcomer Actor in the film category for his role on Salamina. Omega Mncube scored a nomination for Best Newcomer Actor in TV for his role as Phelelani on Uzalo while his brother Wiseman Mncube was announced as a nominee in the Best Actor in the TV category for his role as Sibonelo also on Uzalo. Thobani Nzuza and Siyabonga Shibe are also nominated in the Best Actor TV category for their roles in Ehostela and Uzalo, respectively.

Multi-award-winning actress, Dawn Thandeka King is nominated in the Best Actress in the TV category for her role as Thandiwe on Diep City. Mandisa Vilakazi made the list for the Best Supporting Actress in a film for Salamina. Video Technology department’s Andile Buwa and Omelga Mthiyane are both competing for Best Director in Film for their work on Salamina and The Funeral, respectively. Buwa is also nominated in the Best Micro-Budget Made for TV and Best Film in IsiZulu categories for Salamina.

“It is always so gratifying to see graduates succeed in an industry that is highly competitive. We in the Drama Department are so very proud of our Courtyard family and we congratulate the nominees on this prestigious recognition,” said Acting Head of the Drama and Production Studies Department, Clare Craighead in her congratulatory message to the alumni.

Drama’s former Head of Department, Professor Deborah Lutge also applauded the students on their nominations. “DUT Drama and Production Studies is extremely proud of our ‘Courtyarder’ alumni who have proven that over the past 40 years – this relatively young department – trains creative entrepreneurs who work as superlative, awardwinning, self-employed artistic contractors. We are pleased and proud of the rapid expansion of our illustrious and prestigious alumni network, particularly over the last thirty odd years. It has been a joy to watch the triumphs and successes of this innovative and talented alumni both in the expanded artistic and educational communities.”

Prof Lutge who retired recently after years in the drama department continued to sing the students’ praises. “Our students are our greatest gift. They hold a unique surprise, unwrapping their creativity on stage and radio and film in order to share these special energies, moments, tributes in a manner that enhances our national and international artistic footprint. As a department, we are both delighted and honoured to see alumni acknowledged for pushing boundaries and for these superb artistic engagements. They are the canvases on which society paints their greatest truths.”

The Simon “Mabhunu” Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards were scheduled to take place in 2021 but have been put on hold until further notice.