Angela Thandizwe Mthembu

Just as, the eye shared by the three sisters of fate used to engage with destiny, when the heel of her hand rests on a page, her words become weaving Goddesses, spinning stories that resemble her life through the tales of others. Angela Thandizwe Mthembu on page and Angelyric on stage is a multi-talented South African artist manager, events coordinator, writer, performer, TEDx speaker, Band leader, spoken word artist, and published poet. This South African-born expressionist paints her truth to awaken feelings that convey emotional meaning rather than a physical experience. It is through evocative poetry that she creates protest art that offers an alternative to traditional forms of conformity. Her words desire to direct social and political transformation.

After being awarded the bronze prize in the Caxton writing competition for her creative essay titled 'city of Happy Folk', she was inspired to create the art collective PG13. With youthful rhythms accompanied by ancient grooves tied together by the harmonies of tomorrow, PG_13’s sound is not jazz nor is it Rock’n’roll, it is where those rivers meet balancing on a tight rope of Maskandi.

Angela Thandizwe Mthembu has performed at the Joburg, Rockwood, and Soweto theatre, Port Elizabeth Opera House, Soda Studios, Moses Molelekwa Art Center, Alliance Francaise of Johannesburg, African Beer Emporium, Rumours Rock City, Botaki Ba Afrika, 27 Boxes, Scary Canary, Bassline, AGOG Gallery, The Artisan, Carfax, the SABC, Grahamstown Art Festival, The Human rights festival at Constitution Hill, Fete De La Musique, Kwantu Village, and Smoking Dragon Festival. Together with her band, she produced an EP called Hekaya which is available on Bandcamp. (Hekaya | PG_13sa (bandcamp.com). She is also featured on Edgar Kaye Muzah's 'The Calling’, released in 2023 on his deluxe Son of a tribe album which received a Sama Nomination. Contributing to virtual performances for the African Union, Germany's Wicked festival poetry booth, Radioactive Blog, Pick-me-up Poetry, Poetic Thursday, and a heritage celebration by Nike South Africa.

Her primary mission as an Art Administrator is to document and share the stories of the artists, she represents with their target audience. One of her notable achievements is the conceptualization of the 'Food4Soul' charity event in Kempton Park, which offers live music performances in exchange for nonperishable items donated to local charities. This event has hosted renowned artists and bands and supports nonprofit organizations like Sowing the Seed and Tsepang Care Center.

Angela's expertise extends to event management, and she has organized shows at various venues, including SABC's radio park, Kitchener's Bar, Grahamstown Arts Festival, Kwantu Village, and Good Luck Bar. She has also been involved in administrative and promotional tasks for events like the Afropunk Battle of the Bands and the Afropunk Festival. In 2023, she was part of the social media storyteller team for the Folklore Festival hosted at the National School of the Arts.

She currently manages artists such as Double bassist Thuto Mostemme and guitarist, singer, and songwriter Zelizwe Mthembu. Angela has also written artist biographies and handled bookings...