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Dumisane Masilela, an emerging theatre director from Pienaar, has described his upcoming play, Imfihlo, as a “poignant exploration of spirituality, tradition, and modernity,” aiming to ignite crucial conversations about faith, resilience, and the human condition. The play, set to be staged at the City of Mbombela Civic Centre, features seven characters and draws from real-life experiences, promising to deliver a deeply moving African narrative.
Masilela’s journey into the world of theatre began while he was in Grade 7 at Msogwaba Primary School, where he joined a local theatre group, Sivuka Africa, under the direction of Netto Maluka. His passion for theatre grew stronger during high school, where he co-founded the Sijulile Creative Group with his friend, Percy Mavuso, and started directing plays.
After completing matric, Masilela aspired to study film and television production at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Despite succeeding in the interview process, financial challenges prevented him from enrolling. He instead pursued a national diploma at TUT Mbombela, where he founded a drama, poetry, and dance society in 2012. His dedication led him to become a drama coach and director at TUT in 2015 and later at the University of Mpumalanga in 2017.
Now the owner of G7 Theatre Productions, Masilela aims to create opportunities for unemployed youth by providing a platform for emerging talent. He has written and directed several plays, including Do Not Take the Mark of the Beast, Thula Africa, Vulamazulu, KaMasango, Voice of the Voiceless, Sabela, and 1652.
He credits the late Mcedisi Shabangu, a renowned theatre practitioner, for significantly shaping his career by imparting valuable knowledge on aspects of theatre that were not covered in his formal education. Shabangu’s mentorship inspired Masilela to focus on nurturing new talent and transforming Mpumalanga’s theatre scene into a vibrant hub for the arts.
With Imfihlo, Masilela extends an open invitation to aspiring actors, writers, and directors to join him in revolutionizing Mpumalanga’s theatre landscape and unleashing the province’s artistic potential on a national stage.
