Amanda Strydom has been a creative force in the South African entertainment industry for the past 30 years.

A graduate from the University of Pretoria,she has been active as actress, singer, songwriter and playwright, creating her own one-woman shows and writing and producing her unique Afrikaans albums.

Strydom won the SAMA Award in 2004 for her album "Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder" in the category Best Afrikaans Contemporary Album. She was nominated in categories Best Female Vocalist in 1997,1998 and 1999. She was the only female Afrikaans singer in history to be nominated in this category alongside divas like Brenda Fassie, Tu Nokwe and Sibongile Khumalo.

Strydom was born in Port Elizabeth on 23 July 1956 and after matriculating from Framesby High School. She received her Drama degree from the University of Pretoria in 1979. Her acting career includes plays by Pieter Dirk Uys, Janice Honeyman and TV series like "Westgate", "Big Time", "Arende" and "1922", the latter for which she won the Star Tonight Award as Best English Actress in a TV series.

Strydom is now also carving a successful singing career in the Netherlands and Belgium where she performs regularly. Her latest album, "Kerse teen die Donker" ( Candles against the Dark) was released in Holland in June 2008 to great critical acclaim. For more details, visit www.amandastrydom.eu.

Strydom caused a public outcry in 1986 when she performed her song, "Die Pas", about the injustice of the passlaws - and ended the song with "Amandla !" She was then dubbed "Amandla Strydom" by the press.

Strydom started writing her own one woman plays and songs. Her first play, "State of the Heart", won three awards - the Dalro Award, The Showtime "Best Cabaret" and "Show of the Year" awards. She also wrote, produced and performed "The Incredible Journey of Tinkerbell van Tonder", "Diva" ,"Hartlied", "In Full Flight" and "Volstoom". Her book , "Kaalvoet", containing her lyrics, was published in 2004.

Strydom released her first self penned album," Vrou by die Spieël" in 1996, which was nominated for the SAMA in the categories Best Afrikaans Contemporary Album and Best Female Vocalist in 1997. She followed it with "Hotel Royale" (nominated for the SAMA for Best Afrikaans Contemporary Album and Best Female Vocalist 1998).

In 2001 she released "Op 'n Klein Blou Ghoen" which won two Geraas Awards for Best Album and Album of the Year 2001). Her album, "Verspreide Donderbuie/Scattered Thunder" won Album of the Year and Best Solo Artist Award in the Geraas Awards of 2004 as well as the SAMA Award.

Strydom was honoured with the Alumni Laureatus Award from the University of Pretoria for exceptional achievement in 2003 and won the Kanna Award for Best Female Performer at the Absa Klein Karoo Arts Festival in 2004. In 2005,she won the Vonk Music Award for Best Female Artist. In 2007 she won the Kanna Award at the Absa Klein Karoo Art Festival for most popular show with Coenie de Villiers for their production "Ons loop die Pad".

Strydom is currently writing a new album and preparing for a tour through the Netherlands in 2009.

See Amanda's profile on Facebook for updated information about her career.