Nomthetho Sibisi Nominated for the Clevenard Media Award 2025 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

For the very first time, the vibrant Mediterranean city of Palma de Mallorca, Spain, will play host to the Clevenard Media Award 2025 — a historic event spotlighting excellence in entertainment, entrepreneurship, fashion, education, innovation, and community empowerment. This landmark global awards ceremony unites visionary entrepreneurs, creatives, government leaders, NGOs, and cultural icons to celebrate individuals who have transformed society through courage, leadership, and dedication.

Among this year’s distinguished nominees is Nomthetho Sibisi, a highly respected Educator, Cultural Activist, Playwright, and Heritage Advocate, whose extraordinary journey has blended education, arts, heritage, and social transformation into a legacy of lasting impact.

Award Category:

• Excellence in Education, Arts & Cultural Heritage Leadership

Nominee:

• Nomthetho Sibisi – Educator, Cultural Activist, Playwright & Heritage Advocate

A Life Rooted in Heritage and Storytelling

Born in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, in the cultural heartland of the Zulu nation, Nomthetho Sibisi grew up surrounded by oral traditions, Zulu music, and the storytelling spirit that shaped her future. Her early exposure to Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu’s music inspired a deep respect for heritage and a lifelong commitment to cultural preservation.

Her professional journey began in the world of theatre. In the 1980s, she earned her BA in Speech and Drama, quickly gaining recognition for her unique artistic voice and performances with umakhweyana. Her show Lolo Bambo Lolo – That Extra Rib, directed by Prof. Lynn Dalrymple, became a standout at the Grahamstown Arts Festival. She went on to perform with The Playhouse Company in Durban, starring in numerous productions that toured the country, often using theatre as a tool for education and social commentary.

Nomthetho later expanded her expertise, obtaining a Higher Diploma in Drama Education, which allowed her to bridge the worlds of education and the arts. She introduced therapeutic theatre for children with disabilities and began developing plays that highlighted social issues, such as her groundbreaking production Vukani – Wake Up, which addressed the pain and struggles of women and children under apartheid.

Educator, Innovator & Trailblazer

Nomthetho’s greatest impact has perhaps been in the field of education. At James Nxumalo Agricultural High School in Ulundi, she revolutionized teaching by integrating drama into English instruction. Her innovative methods produced a 100% pass rate, a rare feat in rural South African schools at the time.

Her dedication saw her rise to leadership roles — Head of Languages, Deputy Principal, and eventually the school’s first female Principal. This achievement earned her the nickname “Mkabayi,” after the legendary Zulu matriarch who defied tradition by assuming leadership in a male-dominated space.

She also created platforms such as the first school magazine, a mock radio station (Radio James), and literary dramatizations, empowering learners to engage creatively with literature and history. Her passion for motivating both learners and teachers extended beyond the classroom, fostering a new generation of achievers.

National & Cultural Leadership

Beyond schools, Nomthetho expanded her influence at provincial and national levels:

• Board Member – The Playhouse Company (appointed by Dr. Ben Ngubane, then National Minister of Arts, Culture and Technology).
• Deputy Director, Department of Arts & Culture – where she worked extensively with artists of all genres, coordinated festivals, workshops, and recognition programs, and introduced prize incentives that directly supported creative practitioners (e.g., guitars for Maskandi winners, keyboards for gospel artists).
• Youth and Heritage Development – organized training for poets, short filmmakers, and artisans, preserving both traditional and contemporary creative practices.
• Cultural Preservation Initiatives – coordinated heritage ceremonies such as the Reed Dance, Izithungo, and Amaganu ceremonies, ensuring the continuity of Zulu traditions while supporting modern cultural expression.

Founder of UZulu Arts and Heritage NPO

In 2016, Nomthetho resigned from government to establish UZulu Arts and Heritage NPO, an organization dedicated to:

• Disability Empowerment: Workshops and performances created platforms for persons with acquired disabilities to share their stories and reclaim their voices.
• Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Crafts: Training in traditional and Western pottery, theatre production, music, and crafts. Her production From Gospel to Marabi was performed for both Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and the late King Zwelithini.
• Research & Literature Development: She authored works such as Princess Magogo (The Singing Princess), Ukuzalwa kwengqalabutho yamaNazaretha Isaiah Shembe, and Izinkondlo ngeCovid-19, with new titles in preparation, including Queen Mantfombi kaSobhuza (The Dancing Queen).

Music, Writing & Heritage Projects

Nomthetho has also ventured into music, recording two EPs: Sawubona Wethu and Iqonqela (Zulu Bow Music). She was commissioned to write a historical book, Ulundi – Indawo ephakemeyo, soon to be released.

Her latest flagship program, the UZime WoMhlanga Educational Project, blends heritage with modern education, preparing maidens to become ambassadors of Zulu culture globally while equipping them with training in AI, entrepreneurship, social cohesion, and cultural identity. Scheduled to expand nationally from 2026, this program is set to become a groundbreaking fusion of tradition and modernity.

Recognition & Legacy

Nomthetho Sibisi is not only an educator and cultural leader but also a builder of legacies. Her work has empowered artists, nurtured future leaders, and preserved the rich tapestry of Zulu heritage for the next generation.

Her nomination for the Clevenard Media Award 2025 in the category of Excellence in Education, Arts & Cultural Heritage Leadership is an acknowledgment of her decades of service, her innovation in education and arts, and her steadfast commitment to cultural preservation.

Event Details

• Event: Clevenard Media Award 2025
• Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
• Venue: Calle Manacor, 156 · Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain
• Organizer: Clevenard SL (NIF B75809574)
  

About Clevenard

Clevenard is an international media and digital marketing company specializing in PR, networking, consulting, and cross-border collaborations. With offices across Europe, Africa, and the UK, Clevenard amplifies the voices of leaders, changemakers, and innovators who are shaping the future.

Join Us – Be Part of History

The Clevenard Media Award 2025 is not just about celebrating individuals like Nomthetho Sibisi — it is about recognizing those who preserve heritage, inspire generations, and ignite change across the world.

• Celebrate Excellence. Inspire Change. Shape the Future.

Category:

Press release 

Oganisation:

Clevenard

Writer:

Tolu Osindero

Phone:

+34631279811

Location:

Spain