Get to Know Durban Gen’s “Agatha” AKA Mpume Mthombeni

Mpume was born in Umlazi, Durban 45 years ago. After finishing high school, Mpume was lucky to be selected by the Napac’s Kwasa a community outreach program, geared to teach Drama, Dance and Music to the underprivileged-1992.

By the end of the year she received a Drama certificate and that’s when she started working professionally.

In 93 she received a Certificate at the University of Natal’s Ukusa Program for Dance and Movement

She has performed in Supper theatre,Educational theatre,Corperate theatre,Drama theatre and Musical theatre with numerous theatre companies, NORTH WEST ARTS DRAMA COMPANY, THE CIVIC THEATRE, THE MARKET THEATRE, THE PLAYHOUSE COMPANY, THE CATALINA THEATRE, THE AREPP COMPANY, HOOKED ON BOOKS, THE ACTORS CO-OP, MADCAPS, ARLEY’S WORKSHOP, INGONYAMA PRODUCTIONS, NOBULALI PRODUCTIONS, PENGUIN FILMS, STAINED GLASS PRODUCTION, SPEECH AND DRAMA ASSOCIATION, COPYDOG PRODUCTIONS, THEMI VENTURAS PRODUCTIONS and more. 

Working with numerous directors e.g Duma Ndlovu, Aubrey Sekhabi, Themi Venturas, Des and Dawn Lindberg, Neil Coppen, DR.Emma Durden, Gisele Turner, Wendy Nell, Gcina Mhlophe, Clinton Marius, Danny Moleko, Ellis Pearson, Hamish Kyd, Bheki Mkhwane, Karen Van Pletsen, Karen Logan, Caroline Smart, Faca Khulu, Bra Des Khumalo, Tiki Nxumalo, Zeph Nzama and many others.

She adapted a set book for The Playhouse Company which toured extensively in KZN.

She is a founder member of a singing group ‘Durban Divas’ founded in 2000

She is one of the Directors of the NPO called Arley’s Workshop which specialises in Educational theatre, her roles are performing and she is also a Treasurer of the Company.

As a member of the Arley’s Workshop she has facilitated 2 programs at 2 schools in Umlazi Township, the 1st program was ‘Puppet Making and Performance’ the 2nd program was ‘Indigenous musical instrument making and Storytelling’ . These projects were funded by The Nederlands Funds 

She has received a Fools Award for Original Script, “Izinganekwane Story Threatre”

Audience Favorite Award at the Musho Theatre Festival in Durban 2009

She has been nominated twice for Durban Theatre Awards and been nominated for ‘Durban Theatre Personality of the Year Award-2010’

She has been nominated for Standard Bank’s Standing Ovation Award at The Grahamstown National Atrs Festival-2010

She received 2 Naledi Awards for Best production and Best Ensemble in 2014

Durban Theatre Award for best Actress in 2016

Durban theatre award for best script 2016

FILM and TV 

She has appered on 2 Umzansi films, NOT WITH MY FATHER AND DOMINOES

SHREADS AND DREAMS – SABC 1

Z’BONDIWE 1 and 3 – Etv

RING OF LIES – MZANSI MAGIC

UZALO – SABC 1

THANDI’S CHOICE a French movie

THE HARVESTERS a movie that was selected to show at Cannes Film Festival

She has also done numerous Zulu drama for Ukhozi Fm and Lotus Fm

Worked with Ladysmith Black Mambazo on workshopping a Musical by Ntozakhe Shange

She has also done videos for Spar,Eskom,Pick n Pay,Various Companies 

Currently, she is an Adjudicator for Speech and Drama Association. She is doing translation for Penguin Production Company. She is also running a Project on Migrant Women for DUT’s Urban Future Centre. She is also busy shooting Uzalo for SABC1 and touring with a theatre production Buite land by Neil Coppen. She also works as a facilitator for Assitej Organisation, assisting the educators in teaching Creative Arts

She is also a published Author of the book Ulwembu was launched in October 2018 in Cape Town. Ulwembu production has been invited to the International Drug Policy Conference in Missouri USA and New York later this year November 2019.

Currently working on a project Lalela.Ulwandle which will tour Fiji, Solomon Islands, Ghana, Namibia and South Africa.