philisiwe twijnstra

Everyone has a need for a sense of belonging – whether you carry a history of migration with you or feel uprooted in a globalized society. People grapple daily with fundamental questions: Who am I? And what is my place in the world? South African theatre maker Philisiwe Twijnstra explores what it means to truly put down roots somewhere.

Philisiwe Twijnstra is an award-winning South African actress, playwright, and theatre maker. Her work focuses on Black stories and inclusive representation and has been presented in Europe, Africa, and Canada. In 2025, she received the AMARTE Grant for her play The Dutch Dream, which deals with themes of migration and identity. Philisiwe works as a creative coach at Theater Zuidplein and is a writer-in-residence at Het Veerhuis, where she is conducting research for her latest play, Black Kitchen. Her short story collection, Flying Cows and Other Traumas, was published earlier this year.