Woman of many talents

THANDY MATLAILA: ACTOR, VOCALIST, DANCER AND CHOREOGRAPHER

Currently one of the stars of the Mzansi television series, The Queen. WHO IS SHE?

Thandy Matlaila, 25, is a film and music graduate from AFDA (School for the Creative Economy), currently starring in the Mzansi television series The Queen.

The young actress, who hails from Orange Grove, lives with with her parents Alfred, 45, and Veronica, 42, and two younger brothers, Neo, 14, and Thabang, 9. She grew up in Bramley.

An accomplished former SA trampoline gymnast, the trained vocalist is considered an allround entertainer because of her acting, dancing and choreography.

She is also a philanthropist and aspiring athlete with a deep love of yoga. Her social media page is littered with images of her featured in yoga poses.

The actress has now ventured into business.

BEING AN ACTOR:

She has starred in SABC TV shows like Tshisa, Soul City 11, Intsika, sitcom Gauteng Maboneng, A Place Called Home and the award-winners Jerusalema and uGugu noAndile.

She showcased her diversity by starring in the groundbreaking cop series Streets of Mangaung that is set in Bloemfontein – also the venue of the Heartline series.

Presenting skills were highlighted when she presented the youth science show Knock Knock from 2008 until 2010.

Her extensive television experience has also featured acting – in the SABC award-winning drama Intersexions, and in SA horror film Vampires in the Township on Mzansi Magic.

Matlaila just wrapped up filming a first for Mzansi, a dance series Isipantsula in which she got the opportunity to showcase her choreography skills, further proving her versatility.

THEATRE:

In September 2009, she tried her hand at professional theatre, starring in the stage production

Imbeleko by Lindiwe Mzolo for the Soweto Arts Festival.

A regular in industrial theatre, Matlaila wrote and starred in transnet awareness campaigns that toured the country in 20102011.

With her passion for giving back and educating the youth, she has ventured into school theatre with a teenage pregnancy school show It’s Your Choice that tours during school seasons.

THE DANCER:

A dancer since childhood, her dance repertoire ranges from salsa and hip-hop to African contemporary, cabaret and local street dancing.

In 2008, she became involved in a roadshow (Cadbury Youth Games) that was to promote sports participation throughout the nine months of travelling.

They saw and felt the need for dance to be recognised as a sport.

She got involved with Ultra Always Keep Dancing Competition

Jam in 2007 that was part of the Alley show on SABC1 and this equipped her for her journey as a dance manager and choreographer.

She’s currently busy with a dance academy in partnership with Medispace as she wants to venture into fusing dance and fitness – because many still see dance as a hobby and not a way to keep fit and lead a healthy lifestyle.

SPORTS:

A sports fanatic, she co-owns a sports management company – Aptitude Sport – where she is head of the dance department – managing, grooming and supplying dancers for events.

Matlaila completed the 702 Walk The Talk and the Two Oceans marathon for the same initiative. A future plan is to tackle cross-country and hopefully get her national colours.

BUSINESS VENTURES:

She is currently involved in PR with her own company, Aptitude Consulting.

She enjoys this because it still keeps her in touch with her chosen field of the media industry.

She’s planned a couple of F-TV events under the MuCoDa brand; an artistic concept that creatively intertwines music, comedy and dance.

It’s the brainchild of Matlaila and Bongani B Nxumalo, Highveld DJ and SA personality.

During the 2010 Fifa World Cup, Matlaila formed part of the artist’s management team at the Mangaung stadium and the Fifa Congress 2010.

Other events included The Nelpruit 60s (2009-2012) and SA Sports Awards.

Matlaila owns the “Laugh Your Way” concept, where comedians tour the country throughout the year.

Being a music graduate also saw Matlaila touring Korea in 2008, representing South Africa as a vocalist and dancer during Korean SA Week.

GIVING BACK

She runs a charity initiative “Bring-A-Tin” that collects clothes and tinned foods on a regular basis and takes them to her two adopted homes: Agape Childrens’ Home in Yeoville and The Central Methodist Church for the homeless kids in the area. She’s on the advisory board of the Sophie Ndaba Foundation and is an ambassador for Afrika Tikkun (NGO) and Miss Earth SA. Her great charisma and giving nature have seen her profiled on shows such as Big Up and Spirit Sundai. Rave reviews have also led to her gracing the cover of Drum and featuring in popular publications such as True Love and Move to mention a couple. – Citizen reporter