Inspiring the next generation of actors
WHEN you first meet actress and drama teacher Vuyiswa Mtolo (24), her love for performing arts, community and developing young minds is unmistakable.
As soon as she opens her mouth, the sparkle in her eyes gives away the passion and love she has for drama, theatre and being an inspiring change in her community.
Her bright smile as she relayed her life story lit up the room, filling it with positive energy.
When this talented actress and teacher from Cinci area in Mbonambi was a young girl, she dreamt of becoming a teacher, but when she was in Grade 10 at Ekupheleni High School, she developed a love for the dramatic arts.
“I was already in love with the arts and that’s why I decided to add drama as a subject in high school,” she said.
“I wanted to try something new which was out of my comfort zone. It was another way of expressing myself.”
When she finished matric, it was no surprise when she enrolled in dramatic arts and theatre performance studies at Unizulu.
“I was fortunate that my family supported the idea, even though they were not sure what I was doing.”
While at Unizulu, Vuyiswa fell in love with the arts even more, and realised it was a life-long career she wanted to pursue.
“I loved expressing another side, and taking different characters and becoming those people. While there, I learnt the skill of directing and acting, and also tapped into music, dance and visual arts,” she said.
It wasn’t long before this talented actress started working on various university productions.
In her third year, she became a supporting lead on the popular production Itoyi Itoyi, which showcased at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in 2019.
“The excitement of the audience was a stamp that assured me I was on the right path. It was a blessing and I felt this was made for me. I never wanted to look back.”
After obtaining her degree in the arts, Vuyiswa still wanted to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a teacher, and enrolled for a PGCE at UKZN. “I majored in creative and dramatic arts because I wanted to combine two of my passions. I love acting and directing, but also have a passion for teaching. Having a qualification in performing arts and in education brought both worlds together. I teach what I know and understand.
“I want to teach children but I still don’t want to lose my art, and this assured I could do both at the same time,” she explained.
Last year, Vuyiswa began her journey as a teacher at two top Zululand schools where she shares her love, passion and knowledge with young minds.
Her biggest dream is to bring drama and the performing arts to her community.
“I would like to change people’s mindset about acting because they think it’s just a hobby. Young people don’t understand that it is a real job just like any other. I would love to offer them training, help them identify their talents, and sharpen their skills,” concluded Vuyiswa, who also dreams of opening her own production company.
The excitement of the audience was a stamp that assured me I was on the right path