Meet this weeks cool kid on campus; artsy Andy.
COOL KID on the Wits art block is Andisiwe ‘Andy’ Mpinda. Juggling different art disciplines – performance art and music – Andy is pursuing a masters in cultural policy and management with the Wits School of Arts. She is also a traineeship coordinator for arts management at the same school.
The 28-year-old currently plays Linda on South Africa’s most watched soap, Generations, on SABC 1. The actress told Wits Vuvuzela that while it was scary acting alongside people that she grew up watching, she was excited about being cast. The character she plays is a young woman aspiring to own a salon. Mpinda added that she was similar to her on-screen character.
“Linda and I are similar because we are both from the township and we’re go-getters. I’m from Dimbaza, Eastern Cape, and she’s from Alex. She’s a waitress at a tavern hoping to open a salon. I’m pursuing a masters and hope to open an art centre. And we’re both black girls,” she said.
Andy has also recently performed ‘The Rhythm of Funny’ at the eighth annual Savannah Comics Choice Awards. She was one of the 10 chosen to be the entertainment for the comedic ceremony.
“That was an experience and a half,” the actress said with excitement. “We found new ways of telling the story above and beyond what was on paper,” she added. Mpinda has used her studies and training in art management to manage a jazz band, Iphupho l’ka Biko.
She told Wits Vuvuzela that although she was still grappling with practising her theoretical knowledge, she was excited. “It’s exciting because I am no longer an actor when I manage them. I’ve matured and learnt a lot about music. It’s an excitement. I’ve been managing them for three months now. I’m in disbelief every day,” Mpinda said.
Next on the list for Andy is to finish her masters, first and foremost. She is also working on a stage production for next year. Mpinda is also in the process of rebranding and relaunching Monologue Monday, an initiative she started that provides a platform for actors to perform their monologues.
FEATURED PHOTO: Andy is currently practicing her studies. She one day hopes to open her own art centre. Photo: Onke Ngcuka
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