ARTISTIC WORKS. Money, or no money, the show goes on

DUMISANI MHLANGA is not interested in the money made else than on stage, even if it is only to put bread on the table for his wife and kids. He is an artist. In fact, he is a musician; he acts in dram, a choreographer and anything else on stage. He has travelled extensively in Europe, more than he has in South Africa and is unhappy that he spent only day in France. Thembi Masser visited him at the Rhoo Hlatswayo Arts Centre (R.H.A.C) to hear about his incredible journey so far and to know where he intends to be in the next 35 years.

For Dumisani the road to the stage started oddly; he attended an audition he did not pas nor fail. In fact, all those who attended were told that they have all passed. Then Gilbert Mashite, the convener of the workshop, told them to go home. Those who have passion will come back, he told them. Dumisani was one of those who had passion. He went back to the workshops.

Gilbert was from Soweto then, where he established Collaboration Dance Theatre, in 2000 to 2003. In late 2003 he organised auditions in Daveyton where he met Dumisani. That meeting never ended, they are still together till present time. “He knew nothing about dance,” Gilbert says of Dumisani. “He was strong in music, and physically strong,” he adds to uproarious laughter from both.

Today Dumisani says he has been and has travelled, more in Europe than he has here at home. He has graced stages in Durban and Cape Town.  “But I have been all over Europe. I have eaten chocolate and mesmerised audiences in Switzerland, eaten pizza in Italy, been to the country that produces vehicles for the world, Germany, Holland, and Luxemburg.” He boasts that he has clothes from all these countries that he bought for his wife, friends and kids. “I have also made a lot of money there.” The only regret, he remarks, is that he spent only one day in France. “We arrived in the morning, performed and then headed back into Germany.”

At the time Dumisani was contracted to a German company, Schlote Productions. This company was interested in African musicals which it then took to Europe to show case South African talent. These musicals include In the Ghetto and Power of Africa.

While he is acclaimed at happy, it nearly did not happen.  His love for the theatre was ignited at Hulwazi High in Daveyton. When learners were told to chose which extramural activity they will partake in, he did not choose soccer. He chose the arts. His parents were dead against the arts, noting that many artists are penniless. He eventually convinced them that it was his life and finally they let him be, but he has struggled to put bread on the table at times for his wife and kids. And he had to do some part time jobs to keep afloat. His uncle found him some job to do at a hard ware store but Dumisani ran away to prepare for a musical. He had a promising merchandising job at Checkers Stores but again he ran away to prepare for the Grahamstown Arts Festival. But his wife, also a dancer, is employed gainfully and she understands. This gives Dumisani the chance to teach youngsters about dance.

“We teach them for free,” he says. The problem, well, is that we have to pay rental here at R.H.A.C., but we soldier on.”  Credit must go to Gilbert, he acknowledges. “He coached me and became my mentor. In fact, he taught me a certain kind of dancing technique that has never been executed anywhere else except by him and me. It is a kind of unique technique that tells a story through dance.”  They formed GMDT-Gilbert Mashite Dance Theatre- which was made up of not less than forty dancers. “We have been very successful, going to Grahamstown, twice; we have performed with Mbongeni Ngema. We have taken part in the Dance Umbrella (which we won in 2004 and 2005), Arts Alive, Dance Manyano and many other events.            

He has rubbed shoulders with choreographers of note. Sifiso Kwenyama, Lucky Ratlhagane, Portia Mashego(one of the best female choreographers, Dumisani says), the Russian Alex Fuetisky, Thabo Rapoo and Greg Maqoma.

“The arts are what I wanted to do all my life,” he asserts. “Of course, there is no real money in the arts that I acknowledge. But there is when you really work hard. Money is not my drive, passion is. I want the arts to grow and enjoy recognition. At the moment sports, particularly soccer, enjoy the limelight immensely.”

Dumisani says passion is the drive for the arts to grow. For this to happen, there are rules that apply. “These rules, which apply in life and at home, were taught to me by Mbongeni. He said, ‘An actor prepares’. You have to prepare for life; on stage, in the field, at home, and in business. If you have no discipline, then you will not be able to harness your passion, then you are finished. You have to prepare for life.”

He says there are still 35 more years for him in the arts. Although there are ups and downs in this business, he says, its fun. “At least I am happy and I am able to put bread on the table for my family.”

The two will hold more workshops on 26 July at the R.H.A.C.