05/11/2025
"Lindile Diniso Theatrical Arts Laboratory"
Invites Creative Artists to a Two-Day Masterclass at the Steve Biko Centre
Acclaimed theatre practitioner Lindile “Mahoyi” Diniso, founder and Artistic Director of the Lindile Diniso Theatrical Arts Laboratory, is inviting artists to a two-day theatre masterclass to be held at the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg, in Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) on 26–27 November 2025.
This workshop marks the first public initiative of the newly established non-profit company (NPC), which is dedicated to empowering youth, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented artists across the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, the Eastern Cape, and beyond.
The masterclass, themed around creative development, community empowerment, and sustainable artistry, offers a dynamic platform for aspiring performers and creatives to engage in intensive training, artistic dialogue, and skill exchange — all free of charge.
“The goal is to continue the work I’ve done over the years, particularly at Lovedale College, but with broader reach and deeper community impact,” says Lindile Diniso, founder and director of the new NPC. “This workshop is just the beginning of a larger movement that seeks to use theatre as a tool to address issues such as unemployment, gender-based violence, and economic exclusion.”
Workshop Details
• Venue: Steve Biko Centre, Ginsberg, King William’s Town
• Dates: 26 & 27 November 2025
• Time: 09:00 – 12:00 daily (3-hour sessions)
• Cost: Free of charge
• Participants: Open to emerging artists, youth, and creatives in the region
(Limited to 25 participants. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your space, please contact Vathiswa Bunguza on WhatsApp – 063 432 1806.)
About Lindile Diniso Theatrical Arts Laboratory
Founded in 2025, the Lindile Diniso Theatrical Arts Laboratory (LDTAL) is a non-profit organisation committed to developing artistic talent, promoting social justice through the arts, and empowering marginalised communities. Through workshops, performances, and outreach programmes, the Laboratory aims to foster innovation, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods for local artists.
Lindile “Mahoyi” Diniso is an award-winning playwright, director, arts educator, and cultural activist. His journey began in township theatre, where he founded the Ibongi Theatre Group in 1987 — marking the rise of a passionate arts activist devoted to community empowerment. A graduate of the University of Cape Town (UCT) with a BA and Performer’s Diploma in Speech and Drama, Mr. Diniso made history as the first black Chairperson of the UCT Student Drama Council and founded a black students’ drama society whose debut production was showcased at the National Arts Festival. His professional career includes celebrated performances in “Sophiatown”, “Waiting for Godot”, and film appearances in “People’s Justice and Uthando Lwethu”.
Beyond the stage, Mr. Diniso has played a pivotal role in arts education. He served as Coordinator and Drama Teacher at the New Africa Theatre Association, and for over two decades, he was Head of Performing Arts at Lovedale TVET College, where he founded the Lovedale Arts Academy. There, he designed curricula and trained generations of actors, choreographers, and techni
cians — many now active nationally and internationally.
His achievements include the Best Director Award from the Directorate of Cultural Affairs (Western Cape, 1998) for his poetic work Not Yet Uhuru, and the Rosalie Van Der Gucht Leadership Award (1994). As a moderator, examiner, and curriculum developer, Mr. Diniso continues to influence arts education across the Eastern Cape. Committed to lifelong learning, he earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Fort Hare, graduating with distinction in Drama Method — a testament to his dedication to integrating artistic excellence with quality pedagogy.
