Today’s Doodle celebrates the 80th birthday of Nomhle Nkonyeni, a South African actress who overcame discrimination and took to the stage during apartheid.
Nomhle Nkonyeni was born on this day in 1942 on Aggrey Road in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. Her remarkable career as an actress began at the age of 19 when she co-founded the Serpent Players.
The name of this interracial theatrical troupe was inspired by the abandoned snake pit in which they were forced to appear for the first time due to discrimination.
Nkonyeni continued to defy discrimination laws, with the cast finally attracting interracial audiences to see a theater of political protest.
Nearly two decades later, Nkonyeni made history by becoming the first black actress to play at The CAPAB Theater, a major performing arts center in Cape Town.
She starred in Die Swerfjare van Poppie Nongena, which describes in detail the struggles of a black South African who is governed by discriminatory laws. Nkonyeni’s talent has been seen on the big and small screens, where she has starred in numerous TV shows and movies such as Tsha Tsha, Scandal !, Zulu and Red Dust – her career spans more than five decades.
Nkonyeni also dedicated her life to empowering the next generation. She volunteered as a theater teacher for homeless young people in her spare time and led theatrical programs for young people in Cape Town. In 2016, Nkonyeni received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the South African Film and Television Awards for its heritage and impact — both on-stage and off-stage
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