Amanda Strydom is one of South Africa's most celebrated artists. Not only a singer and cabaret performer, as most people know her, she also writes most of her own lyrics and plays, and is an acclaimed actress. Born in Port Elizabeth on July 23, 1956, she matriculated from Framesby High School in 1974. She also studied drama at Mari Mocke and Marlene Pieterse's "Kinderteater" (Children's Theatre) and excelled at local Eistedfodds. She can't read a note of music, has no formal singing training, except for school choirs, church and the great echo in the bathroom of her parents' home. She studied drama at the University of Pretoria and graduated with a BA Drama degree in 1978. She was appointed to the Cape Provincial Arts Board's (Capab) main company and starred in "Kinkels innie kabel" and "Die Wonderwerk". The lead in a Franz Marx movie "Pasgetroud", whisked her into the freelance world in 1979, which took her from theatre to film, television, cabaret, TV presenter, radio disc jockey and writer. Her cabaret at the Oude Libertas in Stellenbosch in 1986 caused outrage when she gave the black power salute after singing about the cruelty of the passlaws. Since then, she has often been called "Amandla" Strydom in the press. Soon after this incident she was almost emotionally crippled with bipolar depression, about which she later wrote a play, "In Full Flight". The play has been hailed by critics as a "revelation". After an abscence of three years from her entertainment career, Amanda returned to the stage in 1992 by writing and staging her own shows with great success and to wide critical acclaim. Her compilation album, "Ek loop die pad, 20 jaar", was released in 2000 and celebrates 20 years of Amanda's life in songs.
Career highlights, awards and nominations:
1979: Records a "seven single", "Automatic Lover" for RPM | Plays Viney in "Die Wonderwerk", for Capab, Cape Town | Plays Adriana in "Kinkels in die Kabel" for Capab, Cape Town | Leading role in "Pasgetroud", an Afrikaans movie by Franz Marx, Plays Christiana in Nick Taylor's musical | "Christian", for the Natal Provincial Arts Board
1980: Disc Jockey at Highveld Stereo | Disc Jockey at Radio 5's "Nightbeat" until 1981 "Musiek en Liriek", Oude libertas Theatre, Stellenbosch | Leading role in the English TV drama, "The Potato Eaters" | "Oh what a Lovely War" at the State Theatre, Pretoria
1981: "Met Permissie Gesê", a cabaret by Hennie Aucamp at the Market theatre, Johannesburg | Plays Grace Lipschitz in "Hell is for whites only" , by Pieter Dirk Uys | Takes part in "Musiek en Liriek 2", a platform for the emergence of the "new wave" Afrikaans songs, at the Oude Libertas Theatre in Stellenbosch | "Elke liedjie vertel 'n storie" - TV music series by Merwede van der Merwe | Guest artist in "Laurika Rauch in Revue", SABC TV | Plays Tiemie in PG du Plessis' "Siener in die Suburbs" for the official opening of the State Theatre in Pretoria | Nominated for the Dalro Award for her performance in "Met Permissie Gesê"
1982: Tours with David Kramer
1983: "Forbidden Fruits" by Janice Honeyman, Market Theatre | "The Dining Room" at the Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, and the Alhambra, Johannesburg | Plays the lead of an Egyptian priestess opposite Robert Whitehead in "Seth", an English TV drama, directed by Michael Atkinson | Plays the role of Polish singer, Elzbieta Karski, in the English TV drama series, "1922", written by John Cundill | Releases an Afrikaans LP, "Vir my Familie", featuring "Ek loop die pad", which was nominated for the Sarie Award | Performs in "Die Lewe is..", an Afrikaans TV music series | Presenter at the "Miss SA Pageant"
1984: "Enkelspel", an Afrikaans TV one woman music special | Shares the bill with Lesley Rae Dowling in "Women in Song" at the Oude Libertas Theatre, Stellenbosch
1985: Plays the role of Jupiter Jones, an American rock singer in "Westgate", an English TV drama series | Starts her solo cabaret career at Garbo's in Cape Town | Releases an English LP, "Jupiter Jones is Amanda", featuring the songs from "Westgate", which was nominated for the Sarie Award | Plays Sister Rita in "The Runner Stumbles", Alhambra Theatre | Stars in "Enkelspel", a television music program | Wins the Star Tonight award for Best English Actress in "1922" | Stars in "Jerry's Girls" with Judy Page and Diane Chandler
1986: One woman cabaret at Club 58 in Hillbrow | Stars in "Die Hemelbed", a TV musical with Tobie Cronjé | Causes an outrage during her cabaret at Oude Liberts in Stellenbosch, when she gives the forbidden black power salute on stage.
1987: Plays Prince Charming in the pantomime, "Cinderella", at Gold Reef City | Performs With Fiona Ramsay in "Sisters in Concert" at Club 58, Johannesburg | Stars in Jane Chambers' play, "Last Summer at Bluefish Cove"
1989: Plays Gooch in "Mame", Pacofs, Bloemfontein
1991: "Midnite Ladies" - a cabaret at After Dark in Pretoria | With Julie Wilson in "Winners", a tribute to Oscar winning songs | Plays the role of a German diamond dealer, Hilde Bauer, in the Afrikaans TV drama series, "Arende" | Plays the role of Roxanne, a rock singer in the English TV drama series, "Big Time"
1992: Presenter at NNTV
1993: Writes her first one woman play, "State of the Heart", which she still performs all over the country on demand | Co-presenter with Sibongile Khumalo & Henry Cele at the 1993 Vita Film Awards | Appears in the Afrikaans TV music series "Noot vir Noot"
1994: Writes a one woman play, "The Incredible Journey of Tinkerbell van Tonder and performs it at the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees. She has since performed it at the Grahamstown Festival, the Port Elizabeth opera House and the State Theatre | Wins the Dalro Award for "State of the Heart" | Performs "State of the Heart" at Over the Top in Cape Town
1995: Releases the CD, "The Incredible Journey of Tinkerbell van Tonder - the soundtrack", featuring the songs from her cabaret by the same name | Releases the CD, "Songs from State of the Heart", featuring the songs from her cabaret by the same name | Appears with the National Symphony Orchestra at the "Johannesburg Pops" | Writes her third one woman play, "Diva", as a plea for the arts in South Africa. It was a sell out production at the KKNK, the PE opera House, the State Theatre and the André Huguenet theatre in Bloemfontein. | Wins the Evening Post's Awards for "Best show of the Year" and "Best Cabaret of the Year" for "State of the Heart" | A documentary on her life is broadcast on SABC2 | Performs "State of the Heart" at Elaine's in Cape Town | Appears in the Afrikaans TV music series "Noot vir Noot"
1996: Produces, writes, composes and releases her third CD, "Vrou by die Spieël" with Didi Kriel and Lize Beekman | First performance of her music concert, "Strydom in Concert", which she still performs country-wide on a regular basis. | Diva" is filmed for television and broadcast on SABC2
1997: Performs "State of the Heart" in Brussels | Performs "Vrou by die Spieël at the SA Tourism Show in Mechelen, Belgium | Wins the Showtime Award for Best Actress in a One Woman Play for "Diva" | "Vrou by die Spieël" is nominated for the FNB/Vita Music Awards in the categories "Best Female Vocalist" and "Best Contemporary Afrikaans Album" | Stages "Vrou by die Spieël" unplugged at the Grahamstown Arts Festival | Compiles the work of her mentor, Prof Hennie Aucamp, in a cabaret, "'n Vuur gevang in Glas", which was sold out and highly acclaimed at the KKNK | Releases a CD of "'n Vuur gevang in Glas" at her own mini festival at the State Theatre, where she performed her four one woman plays alterntively for three weeks | Performs "Vuur" at the Nico Malan theatre in Cape Town
1998: Her CD, "'n Vuur gevang in Glas", is nominated for Best Soundtrack at the FNB SAMA music Awards. | Performs her concert, "C'est Moi", at the Grahamstown and KKNK festivals | Wins the Fringe Award for Best Poster a the Grahamstown Festival | Records her CD, "Hotel Royale" in August 1998. The songs were written by Strydom and she composed, arranged and produced them with Didi Kriel and Peter Mclea. Critics have lauded the album as the top Afrikaans release of 1998 | "Nickelodeon", a cabaret performance at Jargonelles in Johannesburg | Performs on the Felicia Show | Appears in the Afrikaans TV music series "Noot vir Noot"
1999: "Hotel Royale" is nominated at the FNB SAMA music awards for Best Female Vocalist, Best Afrikaans Album and Best CD Cover Design | Performs an unplugged version of "Hotel Royale" at the KKNK | Performs with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Klein Karoo Pops | Her concert, "In Full Flight" opens at the Broadway Theatre in Cape Town to critical acclaim | Performs "In Full Flight" at the Grahamstown Festival | She adapts "In Full Flight" as a play and launches it successfully at the State Theatre | Writes the play, "Hartlied" which was enthusiastically received at the Aardklop Festival in Potcefstroom in October 1999 | Helps with the launch of a new Afrikaans TV channel, "KykNet"
2000: Performs two songs with Dutch singer, Stef Bos at the State Theatre in Pretoria | Performs with Elzabé Zietsman in the sellout success cabaret "Strydom en Zietsman - in alfabetiese volgorde" at the KKNK | Performs at the Karoo Pops | Launches her compilation album "Ek loop die pad, 20 jaar" at the festival | By popular demand she performs "State of the Heart" on the Fringe at the KKNK | Composes the Breyten Breytenbach poem, "Dagreis vir 'n mens", for the CD, "Om te Breyten", with Didi Kriel. The CD features compositions of this great poet's work by several highly ranked musicians such as Johannes Kerkorrel, Anton Goosen, Mynie Grové, Brasse vannie Kaap, Valiant Swart, Lize Beekman and Laurinda Hofmeyer. | During August and October 2000 she went to Europe for filming with Johan Ahlers of "Trippe Trappe Trone", a travel documentary for the Afrikaans TV channel, KykNet.
2001: Writes, produces and performs "Ligvoets" at the Centurion Theatre with Janine Neethling. | Writes, produces and performs "Die Taal van my Hart" at the Sterrewag Theatre in Bloemfontein to critical acclaim. | Wrote her new album "Op 'n Klein Blou Ghoen" with musical director Janine Neethling in the ambience of the Sterrewag Theatre. | Writes and produces with Rocco de Villiers "Jazz vir jou en 'n bietjie Blou"for the Klein Karoo Arts Festival. | Performs "Strydom en Zietsman"at the Windhoek Festival as well as "Die Taal van my Hart" with Janine Neethling. | Sings the National Anthem at the opening of the KKNK and meets former President Nelson Mandela. Performs "Jazz vir Jou en 'n bietjie Blou"at the Klein Karoo Festival with Rocco de Villiers, Janine Neethling and Vinnie Henrico to critical acclaim. | Launches her new album "Op 'n Klein Blou Ghoen". | Performs "Ligvoets" at High Street Theatre in Durbanville, Cape Town and launches "Op 'n klein Blou Ghoen" simultaneously with Janine Neethling". | She was attacked by three Rotweillers whilst doing the "Ligvoets" run and Madiba visited her on hearing about the incident.See "Photo's" for their historical meeting. | Launches "Op 'n Klein Blou Ghoen" in Johannesburg's Mixer Theatre and appears on Casper de Vries' "Die Casper Rasper Show". | Performs "Jazz vir jou en 'n bietjie Blou"at the "Showcase" in Randburg. | Writes, directs and performs "Meisie sings the Blues" with Janine Neethling at "On Broadway" in Cape Town to critical acclaim. | Records the soundtrack for "Jazz vir jou en 'n bietjie Blou" with Rocco de Villiers, Janine and Vinnie at Cesar's Sound, Silverton, Pretoria. | Performs "Meisie sings the Blues " at the Grahamstown Festival with Janine Neethling. | Performs "Ligvoets" at the Etienne Rousseau Theatre, Sasolburg, with Janine Neethling | Wins two FNB Vita awards for "Die Taal van my Hart": Best Musical Revue, Best Performance in a Musical Revue | Performs "Jazz vir jou en 'n bietjie Blou" at the High Street Auditorium, Durbanville, with Rocco de Villiers. | Launches CD of "Jazz vir Jou"at High Street Auditorium. | Wins "Best Afrikaans album 2001 and Contemporary Album 2001 at the Geraas Music Awards for "Op 'n Klein Blou Ghoen".
2002: Performs "Op 'n Klein Blou Ghoen" at the Sterrewag theatre in Bloemfontein. | Performs "'n Vuur Gevang in Glas" as one woman show at the Stellenbosch Woordfees. | Skryf "Volstoom", haar klugtige begrafniskabaret. | Voer "All by myself" op tot groot lof by die Pink Loeriefees en On Broadway | Tree op in "Al daai Jazz" vir Rooi Rose met onder andere Mynie Grové, Gloria Bosman, Karen Zoid, Elzabé Zietsman. Tree op in Sarie se Inspirasie konserte met onder andere Laurika Rauch, Valiant Swart, Coenie de Villiers. | Sy bring weer "State of the Heart" na die Grahamstadfees op publieke aanvraag. | Tree op in "Women Unite" saam met Gloria Bosman,Afrika Mamas en Cutt Glass by die Sasolburg WAM fees. "Volstoom" debuteer by Aardklop. | Is kunstenaar van die aand by die Pendoring toekennings | Skryf en voer "Lady A" op vir Walvisfees,Hermanus Tree op by Huisgenoot Skouspel in Sun City. | Wen twee FNB Vita toekennings vir "Op 'n Klein Blou Ghoen"
2003: Skryf, komponeer en neem "Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder" op met Janine Neethling, Floors Oosthuizen en Vinnie Henrico. | Tree op in "Al daai Jazz" vir Rooi Rose by Oude Libertas Teater | Voer "Volstoom" met Janine Neethling op by Centurion Teater, KKNK en Bloemfonteinfees. | Voer "Lady A" by Grahamstadfees op en vier 25 jaar in die bedryf. | Woon Nelson Mandela se 85ste verjaarsdagvieringe by in die Sandton Convention Centre. | Vier die tienjarige bestaan van "State of the Heart" met 'n speelvak in On Broadway. | Verfilm video van titelsnit van "Verspreide Donderbuie" met Didi Kriel. | Johan Badenhorst maak DVD van "Verspreide Donderbuie" optrede in die Drama, Staatsteater. | Stel "Verspreide Donderbuie" bekend by Aardklopfees. | Voer "Verspreide Donderbuie" as solovertoning op by Dorpstraatteater, Stellenbosch. | Tree op in "Hommage Kerkorrel" in die Stadskouburg Brugge, België met Stef Bos. | Tree op in "Een jaar later" - 'n huldeblykkonsert vir Johannes Kerkorrel in die Drama, Staatsteater met Stef Bos,Karen Zoid en Valiant Swart,Jana Cilliers en Grethe Fox. | Word vereer met die Tuks Alumni Laureaat Toekenning van die Universiteit van Pretoria. Wen twee Geraasmusiektoekennings vir "Verspreide Donderbuie" - Beste Kontemporêre Album en Beste Solokunstenaar
2004: Wen die Kannaprys vir Beste Vroulike Kunstenaar op die KKNK-fees. | Wenner van die SAMA-toekenning vir Beste Afrikaanse Kontemporêre Album: "Verspreide Donderbuie/ Scattered Thunder". | Launches her book, Kaalvoet with lyrics and photographs at KKNK | Performs in Music in the Mountains at the Drakensberg Boys Choir School | Performs at the Innibos, Grahamstown, Volksblad, Kalfie, Whale and Aardklop festivals | Creates Mooiweer en Warm for the Aardklop festival | Performs State of the Heart in Jeffreysbay for the Elijah School Fundraising project | Mooiweer en Warm opens the Oude Libertas summer season in Stellenbosch
2005: Performs State of the Heart on Valentines Day at Centurion Theatre | Writes script and titel song for Plakboek with Christopher Torr | performs Plakboek with Laurika Rauch at KKNK | Plakboek is nominated for Kanna Award | Plakboek runs at Caesars Gauteng | Performs with Dozi at Carnival City | Performs with Belgian acapella group,Voice Male at Innibos festival | Performs Mooiweer en Warm at Innibos festival | Performs Mooiweer en Warm at Volksblad festival | Performs Amanda, Janine en Floors and Soulsongs at Centurion Theatre | Releases second compilation album, n Rugsak vol Robyne in August | Performs with Janine Neethling in Alles wat ek het at Gariep Festival | Soloist in Ariel Ramirezs Misa Criolla and Navidad Nuestra with Potchefstroom University Choir and Cohda Orchestra, conducted by prof. | Awie van Wyk Misa Criolla and Navidad Nuestra is filmed by Kyknet TV and broadcast on Christmas Evening.
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