‘Many of us are slaves and we don't even know it’: Actress Nambitha Mpumlwana is fighting for fairness in the arts

Thabo Shole-Mashao (standing in for 702's Clement Manyathela) chats to actress Nambitha Mpumlwana. 

Listen below:

Acclaimed actress and advocate Nambitha Mpumlwana is using her voice and visibility to fight for the rights of South African performers, many of whom face exploitative working conditions and inadequate pay. 

Mpumlwana highlights the ongoing struggle for recognition in the arts, saying South Africans often overlook the impact of performers – compared to politicians or other public figures. 

She says that many artists lack awareness about the systemic inequities they endure.

"So many of us are slaves and we don't know... so I go around educating actors on their slavery." 

- Nambitha Mpumlwana, actress

Mpumlwana, a powerful presence on both screen and stage, has become just as known for her activism as for her acting. 

Through her work with the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA), she educates performers about their rights and pushes for better industry standards. 

For Mpumlwana, it’s not about fame, but about ensuring that those behind the performances are treated with the respect and dignity their work deserves.

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