SOUTH AFRICAN THEATRE7 AUG 2026Two women, 30 teenagers and one Broadway dreamIn Braamfontein, 30 teenagers are spending their July school holidays immersed in a musical production about making…Kibo Ngowi7 min read

In a rehearsal room in Braamfontein, 30 teenagers spend their July school holidays singing, dancing and acting six days a week. They’re building a musical about what it takes to make it in the world of performing arts. And the two women guiding them through it know exactly what that costs — because they’ve lived it.

On The List: Broadway the NSA Wayopens this week for a four-day run at The Lesedi, Joburg Theatre, bringing together on one stage every discipline the National School of the Arts (NSA) teaches: art, dance, drama and music. opens this week for a four-day run at The Lesedi, Joburg Theatre, bringing together on one stage every discipline the National School of the Arts (NSA) teaches: art, dance, drama and music. Co-directing are Khaya Ndlovu Mpehle and Kensiwe Tshabalala, two women whose journeys through South African theatre have often followed unexpected paths.

The production is a full circle moment for Ndlovu Mpehle, who graduated from the NSA in 2009 as a dance major. Her name is on the school’s wall of top achievers. From there she went to the Tshwane University of Technology, then turned down a spot in The Lion Kingon London’s West End at 17 to instead join Dada Masilo’s company, touring internationally with her for six years.

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Just before Covid hit, she left to start her own company, K-Movement. Along the way she’s worked with Sylvia Glasser, Mamela Nyamza, James Ngcobo and Janice Honeyman and now choreographs the annual pantomime at Joburg Theatre. on London’s West End at 17 to instead join Dada Masilo’s company, touring internationally with her for six years.

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