Diandra Slabbert
At 23 PALI alumna Diandra Slabbert is not only an award nominated actress, but also an incredibly busy up and coming filmmaker. She is currently working at Redgreenblue Creative and StageAlive Production House as a director and producer, with her work spanning across corporate videos, promotional advertisements, and capturing meaningful stories and memories. As an actress, her career kicked off with the 2021 film Dina Dagbreek and in 2024 she was nominated as “Best Newcomer in a Telenovela” at the kykNET Silwerskerm Toekennings for her role in Diepe Waters. We spoke to Diandra to find out what drives her and how she manages her busy schedule.
What was your biggest career highlight of 2025?
My career highlight of 2025 was working as a production manager on a Deon Meyer series in Cape Town. The experience pushed me far beyond what I thought I was capable of and challenged me both professionally and personally in the best way possible.
You were training at PALI while also studying at the University of Pretoria. In your third year you also got a part in Diepe Waters. How did you manage to balance your schedule?
Balancing everything required a good notebook, proper planning, and a lot of discipline. It definitely came with sacrifices—I missed out on many fun moments—but keeping my end goal in mind made it worth it. I also realised how much of a privilege it was to be that busy, and I learned to see the chaos as a blessing rather than a burden.
When did you realise you would like to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?
There was never one specific “aha” moment. It was something that came naturally, and over time everything just seemed to fall into place.
What is your favourite memory of your time at PALI? Was there perhaps a favourite production?
One production I would love to relive is Die Skandalige Seksuele Revolusie van Elma du Toit for Mane Fest during my second year. We had so much fun both on and off stage, and stepping outside of my comfort zone with that character taught me a lot about myself. I miss those girls dearly.
You have multiple skills, from acting to script supervising to production management. Why do you think it is important as an artist to have a diverse skillset?
A diverse skill set opens doors. It allows you to be adaptable and reliable, especially when things get tough. Being able to understand different roles within the industry not only teaches you respect, but also deepens your knowledge and appreciation of the craft as a whole.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
Take the time to truly get to know yourself. Ask the difficult questions, try everything, and never be afraid to be different. If you don’t fit in or follow the norm, that’s okay. What matters most is being happy with who you are.
