Award-winning TV actress Nolwazi Shange spreads her wings
By Funeka Bambalele
Award-winning TV actress Nolwazi Shange and her friends are spreading their wings, venturing into events.
Shange who has acted in TV shows such as AboMama, Umlilo, Umkhokha: The Curse, Komkhulu will host a lifestyle event on the banks of the beautiful Vaal River.
Titled Lovers & Friends Picnic, Shange and her five friends want music lovers to celebrate life while enjoying their favourite food and drink. The event will take place at Amaya Lodge, Plot 12A Lonsdale, Lochvaal, Vanderbijlpark. The event will take place on Human Rights Day, March 21.
Speaking to Citylife Arts, Shange who also doubles as a casting director says the plan is to take music lovers on a beautiful experience of music while spending a day with friends and lovers. The event will have Murdah Bongz, who has been making waves on the social media with his electric performances as a headliner. While Sipho Alphi Mkhwanazi will be the MC of the day.
That is not all. Lovers & Friends Picnic also aims to empower young entrepreneurs in the area by giving them an opportunity to sell food and alcohol inside the venue. Young fashion designers who are normally deprived a platform to showcase their work will also be showcasing.
“We opted for a music event because music is universal, and it is something that everyone likes. It is one thing that connects us all. We chose Amaya Lodge which is owned by one of our friends because it is big enough, private and security is tight. It is beautifully situated on the banks of Vaal River. When you are there, you don’t feel that you are in Gauteng.”
“We call it Lovers & Friends – a revival and celebration of love and friendship in all forms. It will offer a lot of activities like food stores and designers showcasing their work. VUT FM will be broadcasting live at the event. We want to give young artists an opportunity to share a stage with Murdah. Working with VUT Fm we will identify talent that will be featured at the event.”
Shange further explains that the idea came after the six friends visited Mozambique together. When they returned from the trip, she says ideas began coming in until they decided to view the venue. Unlike many events that are funded by different sponsors, the group is digging deep from their own pockets.
“Someone might think that we are mad but why not? We dream of these things as young people, and we never initiate them. Our dream is to travel with this event to various places around South Africa just showcasing the beauty of this country through music. The Vaal made sense to us because a lot of events happen in Johannesburg.”
Doors will open at 10am and the fun continues until 7pm. The event is strictly not for under 21years. Tickets cost R400.