Paulina Nthabiseng Mothibe, widely known by her stage name Black Rose, is a multi-award-winning poet, actor, director, and cultural educator whose fearless voice and transformative storytelling have captivated stages across South Africa. Her theatrical and poetic work boldly challenges taboos, confronts social injustice, and reclaims space for black womxn’s narratives in the arts.
In 2025, Black Rose claimed first place in the Mangaung District and Provincial Poetry Competitions, cementing her status as a leading literary voice in the Free State. She is the director and writer of Mama, I Bleached My Punani — a searing production that received four-star reviews and widespread acclaim at the National Arts Festival 2024, where she was honoured as The Face of the Festival.
As a creative mentor, she facilitates workshops for Onalerona Productions NPC and serves as Festival Coordinator for Bana Ba Thari Cultural Festival 2025–2026, nurturing the next generation of theatre practitioners. Her debut production, Broken Pieces, was successfully incubated at PACOFS in 2023, and she currently serves as PACOFS Arts Brand Ambassador.
Her acting credits include Fruitful Womb, where she also directed and produced. She has been featured on News24, and is the resident MC of Poetry African. Through her platform, Black Rose uplifts youth, mentors emerging artists, and advocates for decolonized, transformative storytelling.
With ink, voice, and fire, Paulina “Black Rose” Mothibe is not just performing — she’s awakening a nation.
