Bio – English

brumilda.com
brumilda.com
brumilda.com

Brümilda van Rensburg

Brümilda van Rensburg is a multiple award-winning TV, film and theatre actress; well-known as Louwna from Egoli. She has over 80 local and international productions to her name. She has been voted most popular actress in SA. She teaches acting at her own drama academy, and she is a professional MC and motivational speaker.

She started her career in 1978, graduating cum laude with an Honours in Drama from the University of Pretoria. Since then she has appeared in over 80 local and international productions. Her role as Louwna in the popular TV-series Egoli, which she played for 18 years, escalated her career and she became a celebrity figure across Africa. Today she is better known as Jana du Preez in Binnelanders. Brümilda recently starred in two international films as well, called: The Power of Three and Leading Lady.

Brümilda has graced over 50 magazine covers, and she has a rose named after her. Brümilda co-authored a biography about her career and life in 2012, titled Brümilda Vyftig, Vurig en Fabulous. At her drama academy she offers acting opportunities to aspiring students and artists.  Some of South Africa’s new talent, young artists and performers today started their careers at Brümilda’s Acting Academy, such as: actress, writer and presenter Leandie du Randt (Mieke from “Getroud met Rugby”), Donnalee Roberts (Annelie in 7de Laan), Juan-Pierre Volschenk (in “Getroud met Rugby”) and  Masego Sehoole (Pulani in 7de Laan). Apart from Brümilda’s acting career, she has hosted her own radio talk show, “Skeppunt”, for three years and she directed TV-documentary inserts. Brumilda is a voice-over artist, host, celebrity judge and charity ambassador. For Brümilda, the sky is not even the limit.

Brümilda’s work has earned her multiple awards, of which a few include: 

  • ATKV Mediaveertjie Best Actress in a Drama - for Hartland
  • Rapport/City Press Prestige Woman award as one of South Africa’s top achievers
  • People’s Choice Most Popular Actress in South Africa award
  • YOU/Huisgenoot Most Stylish Woman award
  • The coveted Fleur du Cap award

Who is Brümilda van Rensburg?

Brümilda van Rensburg is one of South Africa’s longest standing, most acclaimed actresses. She was born on 30 October 1956 in Philippolis, in the Free State, South Africa, and raised in Pretoria. Most of us recognize her face instantly as “Louwna” from the popular South African TV-series Egoli: Place of Gold, in which she played for 18 years. Egoli was screened all over Africa. She acted in the original TV-series “Wolwedans in die Skemer” as Adele, as well as in “Ballade vir ‘n Enkeling” (series 2), in which she portrayed the rich publisher Alicia Francke. Currently Brumilda plays Jana du Preez in the Afrikaans TV-soapie on KykNet: “Binnelanders”. She is also famous for High Rollers and “Hartland”- for which she won the ATKV Mediaveertjie award for Best Actress in a Drama.

She boasts over 40 years of professional acting experience and has featured in over 80 local and international productions- theatre, TV and film. A few of her most memorable theatre performances over the years include: Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice (Portia) and Hamlet (Gertrude), Send for Dolly (Dolly) and Exit the King (Maria); her performance in the latter earned her the Vita Award. Her role as Cassandra in The Orestian Trilogy won her the prestigious Fleur du Cap award. Brumilda delivered a 5-star performance in Antigone (as Antigone), for which she won the coveted Darlo award. Other popular theatre performances include: “Die Vrou van tevore” and “As ek reg onthou” and A Streetcar named Desire. She performed and co-produced “Om goodbye te sê” in London, for which the cast received standing ovations.

She has featured in the following films (among others): “Musiek vir die Agtergrond”, “Nag van Vrees”, “Agter elke Man”, Egoli the Movie, Brutal Glory, Dancing in the Forest, The Power of Three (an international film shot in London), Leading Lady, and most recently: “Paw Paw vir my Darling”.

Apart from her evident talent and success in the performing arts, Brümilda did not end up an actress by chance; she knew that this was her passion from as early as she can remember: “I knew that I wanted to be a performer when I was born and everyone applauded my arrival,” Brümilda said tongue-in-cheek in a former interview. Since school days Brümilda set the standard when it came to acting; she was the first learner at Afrikaans Girls High School to receive colours in acting. She completed a BA Honours in Drama at the University of Pretoria, which she attained with distinction. The University awarded her the coveted Ludwig-Binge award, twice, as well as the Golden Key International membership award for her achievements in the dramatic arts.

Brumilda is equally passionate about teaching aspiring artists, as she is being the star performer. At her drama school, Brümilda’s Acting Academy and Agency, she trains her students and facilitates further training with several top lecturers in the industry. Brumilda has personally lectured a special master class in acting at Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa as a guest lecturer.