artistic team
Vincent Meyburgh
Vincent graduated from UCT’s Drama Department in 1993. He co- founded Jungle Theatre Company (JTC) as a NPO in 2004 with the present director of Lunchbox Theatre, Stuart Palmer. Since then, as JTC’s Artistic Director, he developed more than 15 different theatre productions and has been instrumental in the formation of JTC’s artistic vision and style. He has trained many artists and children as actors, puppeteers, writers, and directors. Vincent, resigned as JTC’s AD from 1 August 2023 but will continue to work as a freelance theatre maker, painter and drummer and will represent JTC as the co-founder, a member of the board and international ambassador.
Naledi Tlailane
Naledi is a Presenter and Voice Over artist (for Natique Tv and Follow the Spoor) and started her career as a Radio Station Producer and Presenter. “I would describe myself as a fun, loud, dedicated, outgoing spirit, who loves the company of others!” Naledi is passionate about Theatre, Film, Radio and all forums of Media. She graduated from JTC’s Creating Theatre with Children programme in June 2017 and Capacity Training Program in 2019. She facilitates JTC’s Muizenberg Creative Arts Club and performs in Python and the Qunube Tree, Dassie’s Tale, Global Folktales, The Magic Shell, When Lion Had Wings, Bongi Bird, Thandi Finds A Fossil, Giraffe and Sunbird and Hoerikwaggo.
Siyawandisa Badi
Siyawandisa lives in Makhaza, Khayelitsha: the huge society. He has worked into the performing arts industry since 2001 and is a member of Iqhude Theatre Productions. He joined JTC’s Laduma Jungle training programme in January 2010 and since graduating and has performed in Jungle Jive, A Dog’s Life, Umlambo Wobomi / River of Life, Top Dog, Butterfly Dreams, Python and the Qunube Tree, Mantis and the Bee, Bongi Bird and Thandi Finds A Fossil. More recently he was involved in the creation of a new show called Elephants Come Home. Siya also co-facilitates the Azande Theatre Village Creative Arts Club.
Zizipho Gcasamba
Zizipho lives in Makhaza, Khayelitsha. She studied at New Africa Theatre and has been involved in several performances, worked as an art & dance teacher since graduating in 2011. Zizipho loves performing for children and especially to see children’s’ faces light up as they enjoy the show. Zizi graduated from JTC’s Capacity Training Programme in 2019 and performs in Mantis and the Bee, River of Life, Thandi Finds A Fossil and Elephants Come Home. She also facilitates the Azande Theatre Village Creative Arts Club and is the team rep on JTC’s executive staff committee.
Mario Matiya
Mario lives in Capricorn and obtained an advanced diploma in acting from City Varsity in 2017. His strengths include dancing and singing (tenor). He is passionate about the arts and enjoys working with children because drama gives them confidence and stimulates their minds. He is looking forward to learn more about mime and physical theatre and to give back to his community. Mario graduated from JTC’s Capacity Training Programme in 2019 and performs in Dassie’s Tale, Python and the Qunube Tree, Bongi Bird, River of Life, Giraffe and Sunbird and Hoerikwaggo. He also facilitates the Capricorn Primary Creative Arts Clubs.
Noxolo Magadla
Noxolo resides in Makhaza, Khayelitsha. She started dancing in primary school and graduated from Indoni dance, arts and leadership academy as a dancer in 2017. Since then she has performed at the Artscape, Baxter, and Magnet Theatre and also went to Australia in 2016 with Indoni. Noxolo is very excited to learn about children’s theatre and to be able to work with children going forward. Noxy also graduated from JTC’s Capacity Training Programme in 2019 and performs in Dassie’s Tale, Bongi Bird, When Lion Had Wings, Mantis and the Bee, River of Life and Elephants Come Home. She also facilitates the Ithemba Primary Creative Arts Club.
Beviol Swartz
Beviol Swartz is from Eersterivier. She studied performing arts at Magnet Theatre for three years; has performed in many of Magnet Theatre’s productions and traveled internationally with some of the works. Beviol has a big love for singing, dancing and for early years theatre. Two years ago, she started working with Janni Younge and was taught puppetry skills. She performed in a play called ‘Hamlet’ which was performed at the Theatre Arts Admin Collective in 2020; Maynardville and the National Arts Festival in Graham’s Town in 2022. More recently Bev joined Jungle Theatre Company and took on the role of the main character Thandi in the play, Thandi Finds A Fossil and the role of Smiley in Hoerikwaggo.
Marvin Safoor
Marvin participated in Dramatic Arts as a subject since Grade 10. In 2016 he graduated from City Varsity with a three year Advanced Diploma in Professional Acting For Camera at City Varsity Cape Town. Since then Marvin was involved in several projects including a lead role as Jerome in the movie Sodium. Marvin joined Jungle Theatre Company in Feb 2023 as part of the creation and development team of Jungle’s new show Elephants Come Home. Since then he has been cast in several of Jungle’s other productions i.e., When Lion Had Wings and Python and the Qunube Tree. He is also assistant facilitating the Muizenberg Creative Arts Club.
Siphesande Mkokose
Siphesande Mkokose graduated as a Theatre maker and performer through the Magnet Theatre Educational Trust. She has been part of multiple stage productions such as Indoni South Africa alongside Thandiswa Mazwai at the Durban ICC, The Visit directed by Mark Fleishman, Okwe bhokwe by Mandla Mbothwe and Children Theatre trained by Jennie Reznek. She also featured in television shows such as Ufelani on Moja Love and recently on Umculo emoyeni playing on Mzansi Magic.
Siphesande joined Jungle Theatre Company as a Theatre maker in February 2024 and was cast in one of Jungle’s new shows called Captain Kwanda’s Fanplastic Adventures. Furthermore, she was cast in Jungle’s show Bongi Bird which was performed at this year’s Zabalaza Festival at the Baxter Theatre.
artists & alumni
- Lorraine Tanner
- Andrea Dondolo
- Angela & Sean MacPherson
- Aphiwe Ntulo
- Brent Palmer
- Chris Fisher
- Christian Bennett
- Daniel Guy Barnett
- Faniswa Yisa
- Stacey Francke
- Nokubonga Jita
- Ntombifuthi Mkhasibe
- Asiphe Lili
- Justin Stuart
- Monique Fagan
- Stuart Palmer
- Kai Goertz
- Jikki Ribberink
- Friso Quentemeijer
- Haidee Crowe
- Heather Mac
- Jamie Jupiter
- Jaqueline Dommisse
- Kay-Lee Esterhuizen
- Marika Lelani Williams
- Mbuso Shandu
- Mfundo Hashe
- Candice Waries
- George Mkhululi Smith
- Yandiswa Mazwana
- Andy Jones
- Athenkosi Dyantyi
- Annie Meyburgh
- Zolani Mahola
- Nur Felix
- Natasha Barclay
- Nelson Chileshe Musonda
- Nimray Kruger
- Nkosinathi Dolomba
- Simric Yarrow
- Soren Kaspersinski
- Thembani Luzipho
- Vuyolwethu Stuurman
- Lernice Parker
- Cebisa Fubesi
- Jessica Mias-Jones
- Jannous Aukema
- Kelly Spilhaus
- Maryatta Wegerif
- Monray Davids
- Joce Engelbrecht
- Gershan Lombard
- Miranda Tait