The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Entertainment Reporter
SOUTH African-based Zimbabwean actor Tafara Nyatsanza, who has since completed shooting an American horror film, was nominated for the prestigious Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards to be held in Cape Town early next month.
Nyatsanza, a professional Zimbabwean actor who lurched between Mutare, Chimanimani and Chipinge during childhood as his single mother struggled to raise him by herself, is rising in his film and theatre career after recently taking part in an American horror film – Spell – that is set for release anytime.
Young and talented Nyatsanza is now working on a UK television series project.
He was nominated for the Best Performer award of the 55th edition of the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards.
“I was nominated following the one man show I did last year named Scott. It received five nominations for the Fleur du Cap Theatre awards and I specifically received one for the best performer in the one man show.
“The play itself received five nominations for the best director, best new director, best new South African script, best performer and best production. So they are finally recognizing us as one of the best in the country. It is not just in Cape town because this is the best theatre awards ceremony in the country,” said Nyatsanza in an interview from his base in Cape Town.
“I am done shooting the American horror film. They took it to Los Angeles and I am not sure when exactly they are going to release it but it should be anytime soon. They will let me know when they release it,” he said.
Nyatsanza, who is already working on another production said:
“I am now shooting a UK series called Bullet Proof. I am in season two episode two. They will release it on March 28, 2020.”
The Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards ceremony is among the most coveted in the South African performing arts fraternity having honoured theatre excellence since 1965.
Every year, Fleur du Cap winners are chosen after an evaluation of around 90 productions staged at some 20 venues in and around Cape Town. The judging panel comprises local critics, journalists, writers and drama educators.
Theatre practitioners are recognised for acting, directing, staging and technical abilities.
Outstanding contribution to South African theatrical development and excellence is also celebrated.
The public can also mingle with celebrities at a red-carpet awards ceremony hosted annually in March.
The awards were originally known as the Three Leaf Arts Awards and the first awards were made in 1965 for the preceding year’s productions.
The awards were instituted by the United Tobacco Company, who sponsored them until 1977. The Oude Meester Foundation for the Performing Arts, which was formed following the merger of Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery and Distillers Corporation into Distell, then became the sponsor of the awards, renaming them the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards.
Fleur du Cap was originally the name of an old wine farm in Somerset West and a brand name used by Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery.
The Oude Meester Foundation for the Arts was later renamed Distell Arts and Culture.
