Nantsika – A Network For Artists In Gqeberha To Succeed

Nantsika – translated into English – is ‘whatchamacallit’ which describes the house of talent that Nantsika hosts. With each member having a handful of talent in their arsenal you would not know what to call them. Nantsika offers acts a network and a platform to perform on their productions and work in the other mediums such as radio and television. To do voice over work or perform, do interviews and grow their brand. They aim to cultivate the growth and development of creative individuals.

The collective was established in 2018 by Hlumelo Dyantyi as group of artists in Gqeberha that acts as an agency that connects different artists to platforms for opportunities to show case their talents. He describes Nantsika as a space where artists can create and work with fellow artists to collaborate on each other’s projects. Their goal is to establish a medium that focuses on being a bridge for opportunities not only in Gqeberha but the whole of South Africa and ultimately the world. Displaying what they have to offer in theatres, media and social media with these avenues being powerful tools that propel artists careers the idea of taking over the world is not farfetched.

What pushed him to start this collective was due to the lack of platforms for artists to perform in Gqeberha. Creatives in the Eastern Cape often go to other cities to pursue better opportunities where they have higher chances of being discovered. Rather than seeing this as negative thing this inspired him to start Nantsika and contribute to the growth of the industry for creatives in Gqeberha.

Nantsika held auditions in Walmer at the Isithatha Theatre on the 6^th of April 2024 that started at 12pm until 17:00 pm. For ‘Food for Thought’ where different acts which included singers, actors, poets, painters, instrumentalist, film makers and others. Which was phase one

The panel of judges included:

Hlumelo – Actor, cinematographer, editor, colourist, lighting designer, creative director etc.
Onika – Singer, writer, poet, actor, editor etc.
Aphiwe – Storyteller, writer, editor, set designers, film maker and painter.
Duwayne – Singer, writer, producer, sound engineer and guitarist.
Sive nathi – Videographer, editor and performer.

You could feel the excitement that each contestant had entering the theatre with each artist eager to prove their talent to the judges. Acts were welcomed into the waiting room to prepare before their 3-minute audition. Actors rehearsing lines, singers pacing up and down humming notes, painters bringing in their art, instrumentalist fiddling with their instruments even had a content dressed in traditional attire resembling Imbongi who did a poem.

The chosen contestants who receive a call back will move on to phase two. To perform at the Food for Thought production which is a showing for singers, poets and storytellers. That will be held in front of a live audience where contestants who are chosen from the production will be added to the line up at ‘Nantsika’s Garden’ an event for various mediums.

Follow them on social media for more information and their latest events.