Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, has congratulated Eastern Cape-born performing arts sensation, Pearl Khwezi, on being cast to play the leading role of “Nala” in the internationally acclaimed theatre production of The Lion King on Broadway in New York, USA.
Hailing from Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality (formerly Mbizana), in the Eastern Cape village of Ludeke, Khwezi (28) says this is where, while growing up, she discovered her love of music.
‘‘This is where my values were founded. This is also where my love for music was passed down from my grandmother to my mother and now, I get to share it with the world,’’ said Khwezi, in a telephone exchange with Mabuyane.
‘‘I was first introduced to music in church, school choirs and the KZN youth choir. I started doing productions with Rainbow Young Performers; I was part of shows such as Hairspray the Musical and Seussical the Musical, she added.
‘‘I started touring with the KZN Youth Choir in 2013.
“In one of those trips we went to Italy where I was awarded best female soloist that year, which led me to my audition for The Lion King in 2015.’’
After auditioning she got the job and started as an ensemble member in the Spanish production of The Lion King. After two years, Khwezi was transferred to the Broadway production of The Lion King, where she was also ensemble member and an understudy of Nala and Rafiki for three years, including during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the height of the pandemic, she also got the opportunity to play the role of Boniswa on local free-to-air broadcaster e.TV’s popular show Imbewu.
“This journey has culminated in me becoming the first South African to take over the principal role of Nala on Broadway. As a South African child born in 1994, I don’t take for granted what this moment means. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me. These are the possibilities our forefathers fought for. This is a moment of pride for our country and Africa as a whole,” she said.
Mabuyane was undoubtedly elated at the extraordinary feat by Khwezi, adding, “This is indeed a fitting tribute to the Class of 1976, that as we prepare to mark the 46th anniversary of their profound sacrifice so that we may all be free, that an African from our very midst, from this our beloved Eastern Cape, is now representing us to the world as a lead in such a prestigious theatre production, renowned the world over.
“This is indeed what we mean when we speak of the embodiment of The Home of Legends, ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things and raising our flag in the process. We are immensely proud of Khwezi and wish her the very best on her residency of The Lion King on Broadway production,” concluded the premier.
