BackABuddy Campaign Launched to Assist Actor Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Following Emergency Surgery

An appeal to help talented South African actor Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who had needed an emergency surgery following this year's National Arts Festival, has been made to assist him and his family while he is on medical leave while he recuperates.

Driven by Penelope Youngleson, the theatre-maker who directed Mkhwanazi in the 2015 Silver Standard Bank Ovation Award-winning MAN AND A DOG, this campaign is being run through BackABuddy.

The campaign suggests donating the equivalent of the cost of one or more theatre tickets, from around R120 - R150 per person, to help Mkhwanazi and his family through this difficult time:

The campaign's dream goal of R75 000 will cover all of the family's expenses until the end of the year... allowing them some breathing space to focus on the main thing: Nhlanhla's health.

An actor who has trained both locally and internationally, Mkhwanazi is a respected and admired performer, writer, composer, choreographer and theatre-maker. He is known for the many theatre performances and educational programmes that he has devised. A Fleur du Cap Theatre Award nominee for his performances in CATTLE DRIVE and A MAN AND A DOG, his extensive list of credits also includes UNDERMINED, THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY, MY LOW-FAT ALMOST ITALIAN WEDDING, MAMA TEMBU'S WEDDING, SUBJECT TO CITIZEN, THE DIARIES OF DIESEL DU TOIT, NGUNI: THE LOVE STORY, ORFEUS, THE BIRD, NOW NOW and CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY.

Mkhwanazi has toured the SADC regions, as well as the United States of America, England, Europe and Asia, performing and facilitating theatre workshops. He has helped build four theatres and worked with many of South Africa's premier theatre companies, including Theatre for Africa, FTH:K, Third World Bunfight and Artscape. He is a founder member of Sakhile Theatre Company and served as Roy Sergeant's joint artistic director for Siyasanga Cape Town Theatre.

To contribute to Mkhwanazi's fund, please visit BackaBuddy's "Nhlanhla Medical Expenses Campaign" page.