Bio
Nadine Naidoo is a South African actress, singer, writer, producer, director, voice artist and television presenter best known for co-hosting the Sunday morning multi-faith show Spirit Sundae on SABC1.
She also played the role of political advisor Suraya Samuels in the SABC2 parliamentary drama series 90 Plein Street, from 2007-2012.
Born in Chatsworth, Durban, Nadine is the eldest of four children. She has two sisters - Rosa and Juanita - and a brother, Ryan. Both her parents are educators.
Education
Nadine attended Willow Park Primary school and Apollo Secondary in the Umhlatuzana Township, matriculating in 1992.
From 1996-2003 she studied Media and Education and the Performing Arts, knowing she would have to integrate all these fields into her role as a media activist.
She achieved a BA in Communications Science and Industrial Psychology, a B. Ed (Hons) ABET and a Teachers Licentiate from Trinity College of London (L.T.C.L.).
She graduated with an MBA at Wits Business School in 2010 after completing her Research in Social Entrepreneuship at Duke University Fuqua School of Business.
She was mentored by Prof Paul Bloom and the (now late) Prof Greg Dees, who is credited as the "father of social entrepreneuship education", having pioneered teaching and institutionalising the field of Social Entrepreneurship Education at Harvard and Stanford Universities prior to Duke.
Career
Television Presenting
Nadine made her television presenting debut in 1996, in SABC2's religious programme Eastern Mosaic.
The following year she hosted Exploring South Africa for M-Net and in 2000 she co-hosted - with YFM's Rudeboy Paul - the Lovelife, Scamto At Large World AIDS Special television special for e.tv.
In 2003 she began co-hosting (with Buyile Mdladla) the SABC1 multi-faith show Spirit Sundae, which airs every Sunday morning.
She served as Live Anchor with Buyile and worked behind the scenes as Content Director of the Spirit in Action Volunteer series featuring more than 80 Visionaries from the VIA network.
She wrapped filming on Spirit Sundae in 2008.
Acting
In 2002 Nadine made her television acting debut in the role of Dr. Rai on the M-Net soapie Egoli: Place of Gold.
The following year she played Shanthi, a bride in an award-winning commercial for DStv. She also played the role of Mrs Kasturba Gandhi in the South Africa/Swedish co-production docu-drama Where Violence Ends Love Begins, which exposed Ghandi's role in South Africa.
From 2003-2005 Nadine played the role of Gita Moodliar on the SABC3 soapie Isidingo.
In 2004 she played the title role in the direct-to-video film The Eastern Bride, written and directed by Iain Morris. The film was a feature on the persecution of Christians produced by global NGO Open Doors, in a collaboration between South Africa and Scotland.
In 2005 Nadine acted in the late Dumisani Dlamini's short film Homecoming.
In 2006 she landed the leading role of political advisor Suraya Samuels in the SABC2 parliamentary drama series 90 Plein Street, which premiered on the channel in February, 2007.
Between the first season of 90 Plein Street, and the next two seasons which began airing in 2009, Nadine spoke out in Parliament on behalf of South African children and those affected by women and child abuse at the Parliamentary Public Hearings, in May 2007.
Real life advocacy filmed at 90 Plein Street, Cape Town in May 2007: Will the SA President Stop Child Pornography?
Directing/Producing
In November 2001 Nadine produced the documentary New Orleans Post 9/11, which was filmed on location at schools in New Orleans.
In May 2002 she made another documentary, Bali - the Final Prepcom, which aired at before the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg.
From October 2003 to 2007 she produced the Spirit Sundae Spirit in Action Volunteer Series, which was filmed across nine provinces in South Africa and covered the work of more than 80 Visionaries in Africa beneficiaries.
Writing
In 1996 Nadine became a published playwright with the staging of her play Nadia, hosted by Gita Pather, which ran at the Playhouse Women's Arts Festival.
In 1999 she worked on the Takalani Sesame radio drama and in 2000 was a core writer for the now-defunct e.tv youth soapie Backstage.
In 2001 she worked as a commercials copywriter.
Music
Nadine was featured on the Isidingo cast album in 2004, singing No Frontiers by The Corrs. She was also featured on Mzambia's album, co-writing and singing My African Princess.
Most of Nadine's public performances are in support of activist events including Womens Day (2001), Telkom Women's Day Celebration and Lebone Women of the Year Awards.
She also performed at the International Volunteer Day in New Orleans in 2001 and at the 16 Days of Activism Against Woman and Child Abuse rally.
Career Highlights
Nadine's media activist role has led to global and local recognition for the volunteer sector in South Africa:
1992: Represented SA In Germany on Rotary Exchange Scholarship.
2001: Represented SA and the VIA Foundation as recipient of United Nations Volunteers Award for launching www.volunteer.co.za as Africa's first volunteer-matching online portal.
2002: Represented VIA Foundation when elected into Clinton Demoracy Fellowship Programme to Harvard/City Year.
2003: Represented South Africa as a recipient of the Ashoka Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs.
2008: Nominated as a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum - Social Entrepreneur Category.
