Sandra is one of SA’s best-known actresses and personalities. After matriculating at Afrikaans Meisies Hoërskool in 1964, Sandra completed her BA Drama in 1967, as well as her Honors degree in 1968, both at the University of Pretoria in 1967. She joined PACT’s Afrikaans acting company during this same year, and remained there until the Market Theatre opened in Johannesburg seven years later. After performing in this theatre’s two opening productions, she started her freelance career. After seeing Sandra perform in “Koffer in die kas” at the Civic Theatre, Barry Ronge from the Sunday Times wrote: “In Japan, when the power and value of artists to the cultural life of the country are deemed to be at their height, they are declared ‘national treasures”, an honour for which Sandra Prinsloo is long overdue.
Her stage and film career spans a period of 40 years. During this time she has performed leading female roles in the plays of renowned international dramatists and of local South African playwrights, totaling over 100 different productions to date. She has also established a reputation as an outstanding actress in many countries overseas, including England, France, Germany and the United States.
De Kat magazine named Sandra as one of the 100 most influential people in South Africa.
Her leading roles in theatre include:
The Merchant of Venice, Othello, The Taming of the Shrew, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Hamlet, A Winter’s Tale as well Marat Sade, Hedda Gabler, Siener in die Suburbs, Christine, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters, The Cherry Orchard, Absurd Person Singular, Night and Day, Anastasia, The Seagull, Miss Julie, People are Living There and Amy’s View, Collected Stories and she will soon be starring in Breath of Life (a West End production with Judy Dench and Maggie Smith).
Sandra has received the Kanna-award on the KKNK 2010, as well as the Fleur de Cap award for best actress, both for her performance in the one woman play Naaimasjien. Solidariteit has just honoured her for her contribution to the Afrikaner cultural heritage, and she received the Chancellors Medal from the University of Pretoria, in September 2011.
Please tell us a little more about yourself and your journey so far.
Besides Sandra Prinsloo’s popularity as and actress and artist, she is certainly one of the most controversial personalities in the local world of entertainment. Her involvement with and concern for the racial situation in South Africa is well known beyond the borders of this country. Her appearance in the title role of Miss Julie opposite black actor, John Kani in 1985 met with bomb threats and violent assaults. She was the first South African white actress to appear on stage in love scenes with a black actor. As a result of this, she was ostracised by many of her countrymen. Miss Prinsloo has received an award from the Blue Fountain Club of Soweto for her contribution to the Black film industry in Southern Africa. Twice the West Rand bestowed a further honour on her for the most popular actress in South Africa. She received the prestigious award from the Academy for Art and Science for her lifelong contribution to theatre in South Africa. The University of Pretoria bestowed the Alumni Award on Ms Prinsloo.
You are busy with so many interesting projects. Please tell us a little more about that.
At the moment I am rehearsing for a new one woman show Oskar en die Pienk Tannie which is the story of a ten year old boy and his remarkable friendship with one of the Pienk Tannies who visit and play with cancer patients at the hospital. Oskar only has 12 days (the last 12 days of Dec) to live and between the two of them they devise a game wherein they pretend that every day is 10 years of his life. In this way he gets to live his whole life and its experiences in 12 days. It is a remarkable play about human courage and is deeply moving and funny. I am also learning the English version of my one woman show Die Naaimasjien that has been accepted to play for a month in Edinburgh at the festival so thats pretty exciting! The Sewing Machine as it is called in English will also be on et the Baxter in Oct. Then there is a new play on Anna neethling Pohl the legendary Afrikaans theatre personality and I am to play that Great Dame. So I am happily very busy.
What is it that you are passionate about?
My work, my dogs, conservation, diving, sailing etc etc!
Who or What has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
I was extremely lucky to have had 3 great mentors in my life, Francois Swart, Barney Simon and Lucille Gillwald. They taught me so much about theatre and about life and how to access the truth in performance.
What is your personal “motto”?
Create your own reality and live every day to its fullest.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Its OK to love yourself and nurture yourself.
Who or what is your inspiration and why?
Life itself and the amazing people I meet every day inspires me.
Your favourite daily affirmation?
I come in love and want to share the best I have to offer…this is my affirmation before every performance.
Your favourite quote
Life s too short to stuff a mushroom.
Which book are you reading now?
Monsieur Linh and His Child by Philippe Claudel.
Which book can you read over and over again?
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and Birdsong by English author Sebastian Faulks.
One piece of (general) advice that you’d like to share…
Oh dear advice is dangerous but I would say: Don’t live with fear take a leap of faith.
Is there anything that Xtraordinary Women can do to assist you on your journey?
Just be Xtraordinary as you all are and please keep inviting me to your meetings and PLEASE tell everybody how important it is to go to the theatre, it nourishes the soul!
Contact Information:
Websites: www.imdb.com/name/nm0697865/ | www.apm.co.za/artiste/sandra-prinsloo-168/
