WITS-Borne Playwright Wins Big with SAfm!

Congratulations to Neo Sibiya for winning R20 000 in a playwriting competition with SAfm this year!

 Neo just completed a BA Honours program in Performing and Visual Arts at WITS University in Johannesburg, where she majored in Performance (Acting) and Television Studies. Her radio play titled ‘Trains of Thought’ was aired on SAfm on 11 July 2015, as a reward for ranking 3rd in the competition. An esteemed panel of radio and drama experts, such as Shado Twala and Jerry Mofokeng, judged over 300 entries and chose the top 3 plays which were professionally recorded and broadcast on SAfm as part of the prize. This competition formed part of a search for works of fiction to fill up the 7pm Saturday drama slot on air, as well as to bring drama back to the medium of radio.

Wits play called Mutiny where Neo (middle, right) played 'Juna'
Neo is a big lover of fiction novels, and is particularly inspired by the works of Tsitsi Dangaremba, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Kutlwano Matlwa as well as Sello K Duiker, Christopher Durang (playwright) and the great Zakes Mda! She relates that ‘Trains of Thought’ is centered on the theme of relationships, marriage and the prospect of fate and love across the colour line. “The plot follows 2 couples, one black and one white who have been friends since varsity,” she says. “The relationships change over the years as they question the choices and commitments they have made.”

Wits play called Led As(h)tray with Joe Young where 
                                    Neo played 'Tina'
Neo also tell us a bit about her writing journey, and shares her biggest highlight which came with winning the competition. “I started out writing short stories and poetry in high school, and then plays as well,” she says. “I loved escaping into fantasy worlds which I saw in my head. I have also written plays for stage and scripts for screen. Radio is a beautiful amalgamation of the more imaginative aspects of both. Having my writing affirmed really made me aware of the power of this craft. I've always loved to write, and getting paid and recognized for something I'm passionate about is out of this world!”
 Final honours research performance where Neo played 
'Zeus' in Jean- Paul Sartre's The Flies

True to the restlessness nature of all inspired artists, Neo’s ambitions have not yet been filled to the brim! She is still creating and producing new works that are just waiting to see the light of day. “I am working on a screenplay for a short film that I would love to see produced in the near future,” she says. “I have always wanted to write a book, and I am working on an anthology of short stories centred on Jo’burg as a character. My unique theoretical and practical exposures to film, theatre and now radio has opened my eyes to the possibility of sustainability and versatility in the creative industry. I would love to write and act and one day produce all 3 mediums as well as own a distribution network for my creations. The immediate plan would be organizing a company of players and creatives to form a collective producing work for all three mediums.”

***Are you an agent sourcing a freelance writer and actress for 2016? See the talent that is Neo Sibiya on her showreel, here: https://vimeo.com/146490625. 

Also keep in touch with her on social media: 

Facebook: Neo Sibiya
Twitter: Neosibiya1
Instagram: Neo_sibiya1 



<< Neo doing open-mic poetry at Cuddle Sessions  in Newtown, Johannesburg

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