Thishiwe Ziqubu, (Pronouns He/Him/They/Them) is a multi-award-winning writer, director, producer and actor based in Johannesburg. Thishiwe studied Scriptwriting, Directing and Editing at AFDA and Acting at the New York Film Academy.
Most recently, Thishiwe served as a scriptwriter on Season 2 of the epic drama series Shaka Ilembe and the thriller drama series, Red Ink based on the Angela Makholwa novel of the same title. Just prior to that, Thishiwe performed as head writer, leading the genderqueer-centric Paramount UK writers’ room, Beyond the Binary: Fluid Voices.
Over the span of 16 years, as a freelance scriptwriter, Thishiwe has written and storylined for numerous South African TV shows, including Isthunzi, iNumber-Number, Rhythm City, Isidingo, Scandal! and more. Thishiwe also wrote and storylined for the telenovela, Lithapo.
In film, Thishiwe wrote, directed and co-produced the 48-minute magical realism romantic tragedy, Intombi YaNgale (The Girl From the Other Side). The award-winning film was an official selection at the Pan African Film Festival 2019 in Los Angeles.
As showrunner, Thishiwe’s most recent brainchild is the SABC 1 urban fantasy series, Emoyeni. Thishiwe created, head wrote, head directed and creative produced the 4part mini-series. Prior to streaming on Netflix, Emoyeni won Best Scriptwriting, Best
Cinematography and Best Editing in a Drama at the 2019 SAFTAs. Its star Mothusi Makgano won Best Actor at the same ceremony.
Also in 2019, Thishiwe head directed and script edited the 10-part MTV Shuga Down South 2, which won Best Youth Programme at the 2020 SAFTAs. Thishiwe directed five of the ten episodes.
In 2016, Thishiwe wrote and directed the 24-minute romantic drama Sina
Nomakotshana (Dance with the Maiden), which won Best South African Short Film at the Durban Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, having screened at numerous international festivals. The film was a product of Thishiwe’s selection at the NFVF’s Female Filmmaker Program.
Also a prolific actor, Thishiwe recently starred in the British queer road film Low Rider directed by Campbell X as well as Elan Gamaker’s period horror, White by Night, both in post-production. Other international work includes the Clement Virgo series Book of Negroes opposite Cuba Gooding Jnr, and the star-studded Kevin Hooks biopic Madiba alongside Laurence Fishburne and Orlando Jones.
