bio
Mbasa Tsetsana is a theatre actor, writer and director from East London. He also acts and writes for the screen. He has interned and written for the popular South African soapie, Muvhango. His script, entitled “Fallen Angel” was selected as part of ETV’s EKASI: Our Stories in 2013. In 2008, his story and script entitled “Changes” was selected to be a part of the Nab’Ubomi: This is Life! Eastern Cape Interschool’s Film competition, and was screened on SABC 1. He has written, directed and staged a total of 5 plays, with his Waiting for Nelson and The Chronicles of Jack being published by Off The Wall Plays. He currently writes for The SAFTA Award winning (best writing) Bomb Shelter Film Company’s Isithembiso which airs on Mzansi Magic channel 161 every weekday at 19h30.
Mbasa has acted in a number of stage productions including, but not limited to, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Athol Fugard’s Master Harold and the Boys, Femi Osofisan’s Morountodun, directed by internationally renowned actor and director Andrew Buckland and Red Shoes, written and directed by Leila Henriques. His debut in television came with his supporting role as Mxolisi, on ETV’s 8 part miniseries, The Alliance (2016).In 2018, he was cast in award winning and internationally acclaimed, writer and director Jahmil X.T. Qubeka’s film, Knuckle City, SA’s official selection for the 2020 Oscars. Tsetsana also had a brief stint as a writer with award winning production company Quizzical Pictures (MTV SHUGA). In 2016, he was selected, out of 40 000 applicants, to be 1 of the top 100 delegates at the Brightest Young Summit.
He has been trained by South African and international greats, such as Andrew Buckland, Janet Buckland, Anton Krueger, Bailey Snyman, Dr. Samuel Ravengai, Greg Homann, Prof. David Peimer and Brumilda van Rensburg. He has had the honour of working with, being taught by and being mentored by award winning artists such as Sello Maakeka Ncube, Mpho Osei Tutu, Leila Henriques, Craig Higginson, Angus Gibson, Scott Smith and Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom.
He has written, acted and directed for stages such as East London Guild Theatre, The East London Arts Theatre, The Rhodes Main Theatre, The Market Theatre Laboratory, The WITS Downstairs Theatre and The Roodepoort Theatre’s Youth Arts Festival, where his show Waiting for Nelson, won best drama for the festival. The show was also staged at the Joburg Theatre’s Space Dot Com, receiving rave reviews from internationally renowned writer, director and producer, Angus Gibson as well Dawn Lindberg, CEO of the acclaimed Naledi Awards, but to name a few.
The match was lit in 2004 by his then drama teacher and life coach, Mrs. Joan Pike. He was invited to audition for the 2004 Guild Theatre Pantomime CINDERELLA which was being directed by Amanda Bothma. He was cast as a palace footman and that day, his deep love and passion for the performing arts and drama was born.
experience