Albert Slindokuhle “Ibokwe” Khoza is a South African actor, performance artist, dancer, and isangoma. Albert is famously known for his role in the drama series Blood Psalms and is an international award-winning performance artist touring works of critical acclaim. In his performance artwork, he has performed internationally and won numerous accolades including the coveted international art prize the Bessie Award for Outstanding Performance (2023).

Albert’s works include Take In, Take Out, And So You See…, Red Femicycle and The Black Circus of the Republic of Bantu. Violence and the continuing impacts of colonisation and racial oppression often intersect with complex considerations of gender, sexuality and traditional practice in Albert’s performance. Working with multimedia and projection to engage his body in relation to historical figures of women and political figures to outline social ills, Albert plays with gender divergence to engage critical thought in the communal setting of performance. 

Desire Marea creates soundscapes, imagery, performances and literature that imagines queer realities through the boundless lens of an indigenous vernacular rooted in spiritual modes of conceptualisation. Pulling from the rich tapestry of his spiritual world as a trained Sangoma, Desire’s music is an entrancing odyssey of future sounds created through a process of channelling ancient spirits. It is the experience of being occupied by multiple spirits of varying identities, and the posthumanity of actively living as many, that inspired the phrase “IZIMAKADE” – a Zulu word which, according to Marea, more truthfully encompasses his queer experience. It translates to “those who have been forever” and modernly understood as “The Gods”.

Following the success of his 2020 solo debut “DESIRE”, Desire caught the attention of the international community, including UK label Mute Records who signed him later that year. Desire released his sophomore album “On the Romance of Being”. The album won local and international awards including a D&AD, a Loerie and the SAMA for Best Alternative Album, 2023.

Noluthando “Thando” Lobese, is a visionary South African designer rooted in Johannesburg. With a foundation in fashion design, her journey into the realm of theatre began under the guidance of a mentor. Thando brought creative prowess to numerous productions at the prestigious Market Theatre.

Her creative footprint spans across international stages, captivating audiences in Germany, Austria, the United States, Sweden, Amsterdam, and London. Thando’s recent endeavours include the production design for “Diep City,” a project that earned her the prestigious SAFTA in 2022. She also received a nomination for her outstanding work in production design for “Black Door.”

In the realm of visual arts, Thando embarked on a captivating residency for “Waste Not Want” at Shade Brixton. As a visual artist, she utilised waste and recycled materials, transforming discarded elements into thought-provoking works of art. Thando Lobese continues to push creative boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on both the theatrical and visual arts landscapes.