Nothando Mabuza, actress, drama teacher and daughter of the late veteran actress Connie Chiume, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help fund her performing arts studies in Los Angeles.
Mabuza is aiming to raise R150,000 through BackaBuddy to cover fees for a conservatory programme in the United States. At the time of publication, the campaign had raised R300.
In her appeal, Mabuza said the opportunity represents more than personal growth. She hopes to use the training to expand opportunities for young South African performers who have limited access to the entertainment industry.
“My name is Nothando Mabuza, a South African actress, drama teacher, and creative entrepreneur passionate about empowering young people through the arts,” she wrote.
For years, Mabuza has worked in communities with little exposure to professional acting. She runs drama classes, youth programmes, and mentorship initiatives aimed at giving aspiring performers practical skills and a pathway into the industry.
“I have dedicated myself to building opportunities for aspiring performers through acting classes, youth programs, and mentorship in communities where access to the entertainment industry is limited,” she said. olleagues describe her as a hands-on teacher who often volunteers her time. Much of her work has focused on township and rural youth who cannot afford formal drama school fees.
The decision to study abroad, she said, comes after reaching a point where local training options could no longer take her further as both a performer and an educator.
The conservatory programme Mabuza has been accepted to in Los Angeles is an intensive course in acting, movement, voice, and performance development.she said the training will “sharpen my skills, expand my global network, and open doors that are currently inaccessible to me in South Africa.”
Los Angeles remains one of the world’s main hubs for film, television, and theatre training. For many African artists, studying there provides exposure to international techniques, industry standards, and professional networks that are difficult to access at home.
Mabuza stressed that her goal is not to leave South Africa permanently. Instead, she wants to bring what she learns back home.this journey is bigger than just me,” she wrote. “By growing as an artist, performer, and educator, I will be able to bring back international-level training, knowledge, and opportunities to the students and young creatives I work with back home.”
She said her long-term dream is to “build a stronger bridge between African talent and the global entertainment industry.” That includes creating workshops based on conservatory methods, helping students prepare showreels to international standard, and connecting South African youth to global casting and collaboration opportunities.
Her mother, Connie Chiume, was known for championing young talent. Chiume, who died in 2024, had a career spanning stage, television and film, including roles in Black Panther and Black Is King. Mabuza said her mother’s example continues to shape her approach to teaching.
Conservatory fees in the US, plus visa, accommodation, and living expenses, often run into hundreds of thousands of rand. Few bursaries exist for performing artists, and most local funding bodies prioritize other sectors.
That leaves many artists to self-fund or seek community support. Mabuza said she has saved what she can and will continue teaching while preparing to travel, but still needs assistance to meet the full amount.
She set the target at R150,000 to cover tuition and basic costs for the duration of the programme. Donations are being collected via BackaBuddy, a South African crowdfunding platform commonly used for education and medical causes the campaign has drawn messages of support from fellow actors and former students. Many noted Mabuza’s work in community theatre and her commitment to mentoring.
Industry observers say the initiative reflects a growing trend of South African artists seeking international training and then returning to invest locally. Examples include directors, choreographers, and writers who studied abroad and later launched schools or production companies in South Africa.
Mabuza said if the fundraising target is met, she will document her experience and share lessons, exercises, and contacts with her students in South Africa. She also plans to host free masterclasses upon her return.
“I want the students I work with to see that global training is possible for them too,” she said. “Representation matters. If they see someone from their community doing it, they will believe they can do it too.”
For now, the campaign continues. Mabuza is encouraging donations of any amount and asking people to share the BackaBuddy link to help reach the R150,000 goalshe closed her appeal with a message of gratitude: “Thank you for believing in this dream. Thank you for believing
