Leaders. Innovators. Changemakers.

Meet Our Speakers

Jack Devnarain

Jack Devnarain is a multi-award-winning actor and dedicated industry advocate with a career spanning over three decades in the South African creative and public service sectors.

Professional Background

• Law Enforcement: Before his rise to television fame, Jack served in the Durban Metropolitan Police Service from 1993 to 2002 after completing a BA (Law) at the University of Natal.

• Acting & Film: He is widely recognized for his long-running role in SABC 3’s Isidingo and his award-winning portrayal of Sunny Maharaj in Imbewu. His film work includes the SAFTA-nominated 31 Million Reasons and the internationally acclaimed Greytown Girl.

• Corporate Leadership: Jack currently serves as the Creative Director of Ferguson Media, where he facilitates communications workshops and innovation skills for corporate clients.

Advocacy & Global Leadership

Jack is a leading voice for performers' rights and industry regulation:

• SAGA Chairman: He serves as the Chairman of the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA), lobbying Parliament for actor royalties and sector transformation.

• International Representation: He has represented South African creative interests on global stages, including the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in Geneva and discussions on AI at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Social Impact & Community

• Humanitarian Work: In 2015, he summited Mount Kilimanjaro for the Trek4Mandela initiative to support school-going girls.

• Public Service: He maintains his commitment to safety as a member of the KZN Human Trafficking Task Team and serves as a patron for the South African Firefighters Youth Development Association.

Actor, Advocate & Consultant

Dr. Thembi Mtshali-Jones is a celebrated South African actress, playwright, singer, and producer with a career spanning over five decades. A true daughter of KwaZulu-Natal, she has risen from township choirs to the world’s most prestigious stages, becoming a vital voice for authentic African narratives.

International Stage & Screen

• Musical Theatre: She was part of the original cast of Umabatha (a Zulu adaptation of Macbeth) and starred in the globally successful Ipi Tombi on Broadway and the West End.

• Acclaimed Solo Work: Her autobiographical one-woman play, A Woman in Waiting, has toured the globe, winning the Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival.

• Television & Film: A household name for her role as Thoko in the sitcom Sgudi 'Snaysi, she has also starred in Stokvel, Imbewu: The Seed, and the Cannes-nominated film Mapantsula

Leadership & Advocacy

• Production & Mentorship: As co-founder of Spirit Sister Productions, she creates empowering content like the women-focused show The Power Within. She remains a dedicated mentor to young performers.

• Global Boards: She serves as a juror for the International Emmy Awards and is an advisory board member of the Chelsea Film Festival in New York.

• Cultural Governance: She has served on the boards of the Baxter Theatre, the Gauteng Film Commission, and the Playhouse Company.

Selected Awards & Honours

• Honorary Doctorate: Doctor of Philosophy in Visual Arts from Durban University of Technology (2022).

• Lifetime Achievement: Recipient of the SAFTA Lifetime Achievement Award (2020) and the Living Legend Award at the National Black Theatre Festival, USA (2019).

• International Recognition: Outstanding Performance at the World Culture Festival in Pakistan (2025) and an Honorary Kentucky Colonel, USA

Dr. Thembi Mtshali-Jones

Living Legend & Global Cultural Icon

Celebrating icons, activists, and trailblazers breaking barriers in the arts and beyond. These are visionaries and experts leading the conversation at KZN Kwande Fest 2026.

Paula Phukuje

Adhil Ramnath is a profoundly Deaf creative professional from Durban whose diverse talents span IT, fashion, and the performing arts. A proud representative of South Africa and the Deaf community, Adhil has gained international recognition for his commitment to showcasing unique perspectives on global stages.

Film & Performance

• International Cinema: Adhil recently starred in the leading role of a short film titled Echoes, filmed in Kyrgyzstan with an international crew. This project marks his first international short film representation as a Deaf South African.

• New York Recognition: Out of over 600 contestants, he was selected for the Top 20 to audition for the International Model and Talent Agency (IMTA) in New York in July 2024.

• Pioneering Achievement: He was the only profoundly Deaf contestant to be selected for this prestigious opportunity in the acting and model photo-shoot categories.

• Sign Language Artistry: Beyond acting, he is also a sign language singer.

Fashion & Modelling

• Global Runways: In 2023, Adhil made his international fashion debut, walking in shows in Dubai and Sri Lanka.

• Theme & Style: He performed in the "Elegant in Black" showcase, where he focused on cultural diversity and style on the runway.

• Brand Ambassadorship: He serves as a brand ambassador and fashion designer, further expanding his influence in the creative economy.

Diverse Skillset

• Photography & Design: Adhil is an accomplished photographer and fashion designer.

• Professional Versatility: His background also includes technical skills in IT and professional experience as a barista.

Employment & Labour Law Specialist

Paula Phukuje is an accomplished Employment and Labour Law Attorney and Specialist at Fairbridges Attorneys, a member of the prestigious international legal network, TerraLex. With a deep commitment to workplace equity and legal empowerment, she has established herself as a trusted advisor to businesses, NGOs, and individual professionals.

Professional Expertise

• Legal Advisory: Paula advises both employers and individuals on diverse workplace matters, including employment contracts, disciplinary processes, and incapacity management.

• Dispute Resolution: she has extensive experience representing South African and international clients before the CCMA, Bargaining Councils, and the Labour Court.

• Compliance & Policy: Her practice covers retrenchments and strict compliance with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the Labour Relations Act, alongside drafting robust workplace policies.

Advocacy & Education

• Fair Labour Practices: Paula is passionate about advancing fair labour practices and educating stakeholders on their legal rights and obligations.

• Empowerment: She focuses on equipping both businesses and employees with practical tools to address workplace irregularities and combat inequality.

Education & Admissions

• Academic Background: She holds a BCom Law degree specializing in Human Resource Management (2014) and an LLB (2018), both from the University of the Witwatersrand.

• Legal Standing: Paula was officially admitted as an Attorney in the Republic of South Africa in February 2022.

Adhil Ramnath

Multi-Disciplinary Creative & International Talent

Candice Morgan

Londiwe Shange is a multidisciplinary writer, filmmaker, and actress dedicated to amplifying African narratives through socially conscious storytelling. A distinction graduate of AFDA, she has earned a reputation for bringing critical insight and creative vision to both the screen and the stage.

Film & Production

• Directorial & Creative Leadership: Londiwe is the founder and director of Sinairo Creatives, a Durban-based production company.

• Acclaimed Works: She produced the multi-award-winning short film Ngikhona and is currently developing it into a feature screenplay.

• International Reach: Her directorial debut, Why It Came, was featured at the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Centre. Her other notable work, Pain to Ashes, was broadcast on the Discovery Channel Network.

Performance Excellence

• Lead Actress Awards: She won "Best Lead Actress" at the African Emerging Filmmaker Awards for Ngikhona and received a nomination for the same category at the Simon Sabela Awards in 2023.

• Competition Success: In 2024, she won the "Best Actress Award" in the 48hr competition, outperforming talent from 167 other films.

Advocacy & Mentorship

• Industry Leadership: Beyond her creative work, Londiwe is a committed activist for performers’ rights.

• SAGA Representative: She serves as an Executive Committee member for the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA), where she holds the position of Vice Secretary for KwaZulu-Natal.

• Storytelling Mentor: Her professional focus extends to creative development and mentorship, emphasizing the importance of arts-based storytelling.

Media Executive, Academic & Global Advocate

Candice Morgan is an award-winning producer, educator, and former Miss Deaf World who has spent over two decades at the forefront of South African media and disability advocacy. She is widely recognized for her leadership in promoting South African Sign Language (SASL) and ensuring quality representation for the Deaf community on the global stage.

Media & Television Career

• DTV Legacy: Candice began her broadcasting career at just 14 years old with DTV (Deaf TV). Over a 24-year tenure, she rose from production assistant to anchor, director, and eventually Executive Producer.

• Global Coverage: She has traveled extensively to countries such as Canada, France, the USA, and South Korea, documenting major international events like the World Federation of the Deaf Congress.

• Historic Milestones: In 2004, she made history by winning both Miss Deaf South Africa and Miss Deaf World.

Academic & Educational Leadership

• Wits University: Since 2011, she has served as a SASL Coordinator and Tutor at Wits University, where she lectures, develops teaching materials, and conducts linguistic research.

• Expertise: She holds qualifications from various institutions, including Stellenbosch University and Utah State University, specializing in Linguistics and Political Studies.

Advocacy & Recognition

• Leadership Roles: Candice has served on the boards of DeafSA and DeafNet, acted as a PanSALB Language Board member, and is a dedicated Deaf mentor.

• Major Honours: Her accolades include the CEO Award for Most Influential Woman of the Year in Media, the PanSALB Multilingual Award, and having a rose named in her honor—The Candice Rose.

• Personal Philosophy: Inspired by a meeting with Nelson Mandela, she lives by the belief that "brave people never allow themselves to be influenced by the fact that they have disabilities".

Londiwe Shange

Award-Winning Filmmaker, Actress & Activist

Matthew Parks

Sanjay Bhimjee is a multi-talented storyteller, voice artist, and performer with a profound connection to language and human psychology. Born blind, he navigates the world of storytelling through sound, rhythm, and intuition, using these tools to build deep connections with his audience.

Broadcasting & Voice Work

• Radio Expertise: With a strong background in radio broadcasting, Sanjay utilizes the power of voice for connection and truth-telling.

• Deep Inquiry: He is skilled in deep listening and facilitating difficult conversations, particularly those surrounding social justice and disability identity.

• Voice Artistry: He is currently refining his craft in voice-over work, with a specific interest in character work, diverse accents, and radio drama.

Creative Philosophy

• Psychological Depth: Sanjay is fascinated by complex characters who appear composed on the surface but grapple with internal conflict and unspoken longing.

• Authentic Representation: He is passionate about the meaningful inclusion of people with disabilities in the arts, advocating that performance should not be reduced to mere symbols or "inspirational narratives".

Advocacy & Impact

• Challenging Assumptions: Whether behind a microphone or in front of a camera, Sanjay aims to challenge societal assumptions about disability and the superficial perceptions people hold of one another.

• Encouraging Dialogue: His work is driven by the hope that his audience will "ask more questions than find answers," fostering a space for deeper understanding and empathy.

Parliamentary Coordinator & Labor Policy Expert

Matthew Parks is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the parliamentary sector, having served in both the National Parliament and the Western Cape Provincial Legislature. He is a prominent voice in South African labour and economic policy, known for his strategic coordination between labour, government, and industry.

Professional Leadership

• COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator: For the past 15 years, Matthew has led the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in its engagements with Parliament and the National Executive on bills, regulations, and tax policies.

• National Advocacy: He represents COSATU at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) and maintains bilateral engagements with major business and industry bodies.

• Policy Reform: He has been instrumental in navigating complex issues such as the "Two Pot" Pension Reforms, retirement annuitization, and the PIC Amendment Act.

Political & Civic Engagement

• ANC Leadership: Matthew has been deeply involved in various ANC structures, previously serving as the Deputy Regional Secretary for Cape Town and as a member of the Regional Executive Committee.

Education

• Academic Background: He holds a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Cape Town.

• Specialized Training: He earned a Post-Graduate Diploma in Governance from the University of the Western Cape.

Sanjay Bhimjee

Performer, Voice Artist & Broadcaster

Carlynn de Waal-Smit

Industry Advocate & Artist Management Specialist

MCarlynn de Waal-Smit is a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry, with a career that began alongside the birth of South Africa’s democracy in 1994. As a dedicated advocate for performers' rights and industry standards, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the regulatory landscape for South African artists.

Professional Background & Management

• Artist Representation: Since 1996, Carlynn has been a key figure at Contractors Artists, a premier artist management agency where she facilitates the careers of professional performers and manages diverse productions.

• Leadership in Management: She served as the Vice Chairperson of the Personal Managers Association (PMA) for many years, helping to guide the professional standards of talent agents across the country.

• Production Expertise: Her extensive experience includes roles in company and stage management for the BOP dance company and middle management in the UK, providing her with a unique blend of creative and business acumen.

Advocacy & The Birth of SAGA

• Founding of SAGA: Motivated by a decline in industry standards, Carlynn collaborated with performers to initiate the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA), which was officially constituted in 2009.

• National Leadership: She currently holds the Executive Committee positions of National Secretary and Treasurer for SAGA.

• Social Justice: Carlynn views industry reform and regulation as a critical social justice issue and continues to advocate for actors across all available platforms.

Education

• Musical Theatre & Dance: She holds a diploma in Dance and Teaching from the Pretoria Technikon, where she studied Dance and Musical Theatre.