AMANDA BOTHMA Writer /Director
Amanda Bothma has entertained East London audiences at the since her first break-through production of Bobaas in die Boendoe at the Guild Theatre in 1990. Amanda Bothma received her Bachelor’s degree in Drama and Acting from the University of the Free State. In fall 2017 she enrolled at The Eugene O’Niell Theatre institute in Connecticut then in n 2021 she trained in the Chekov method under Mara Laduvic co-founder of the Michael Chekov Actors Studio Boston. Since then critically acclaimed work continued to follow, earning her a list of award winning productions including: A Star is Born – the rise and fall of Judy Garland, NEXT!!!, Damsel in Distress, The Story of Eva Cassidy and Vincent – his quest to love and be loved. Amanda has served on the East London Guild Theatre Board since 2000 and has written and directed numerous productions in the last 33 years.

JAQUES DU PLESSIS Musical Director/Pianist
Jacques du Plessis holds both a BMus and MMus in piano performance with distinction from Rhodes University. After obtaining distinctions for both the Trinity and UNISA Grade 8 piano exams. Jacques established himself as a distinguished finalist and prize winner at several national music competitions. Winning third prize in the tertiary category of the 2010 Grahamstown National Music Competition, second prize in the concerto category of the 2009 Grahamstown National Music Competition and a special prize at the 2008 Rising Stars Music Competition, Jacques was also named as one of the Rhodes University Top 100 Students for his contributions to Arts and Culture. He appeared as a concerto soloist with the Rhodes University Symphony Orchestra several times. As a chamber musician, he is noted for his performances with the Odeion String Quartet and was a member of the Driske Trio with whom he toured South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2009. He also performed at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival and Hogsback Spring Festival with his piano duet partner, Andrew Duncan. He is much in demand as an accompanist having
worked with choirs, ensembles, instrumentalists and singers throughout the Eastern Cape including the Eastern Cape Opera Company. Aside from these activities, Jacques has acted as pianist, musical director and conductor in many productions all over South Africa including Evita, Beauty and the Beast, ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’, The Sound of Music, Footloose and a vast number of community theatre productions. He was also the pianist for the musical revue, Simply Broadway which enjoyed four sold-out runs at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. He is currently a full-time piano teacher and accompanist at Stirling High School.

DIKELO MAMIALA Performer
Dikelo is a passionate creative, versatile singer, songwriter, and actress with over 10 years ‘experience. Her theatrical highlights include Hairspray, Evita, and most recently playing ‘Asaka Mother of Earth’ in Once on This Island. Another one of her great achievements to date has been coming runner up in the Castle Milk Stout Songwriters competition in 2014, where she performed alongside SA sensations, Micasa. Dikelo co-produced and starred in the Grahamstown National Arts Festival 2015, 2016 & 2017 run of the sexy comedy, Six Inches. In 2019, she returned home after an 8month contract as a singer on-board a luxury German cruise liner, Mein Schiff 6. She has since gone into Film & Television production for Ndiani Studios as an Associate Producer, and lead actress in their debut series Working Wives, which aired on Showmax. In April 2016, she recorded and released her debut EP called Awakened, which is available on most online platforms. She has collaborated with UK based producer, Stef Tahlia on a song called ‘Moving On’. She is currently working on her first studio recorded album to be released early next year.