Bhele won’t quit

Thembinkosi “Bhele” Mzima is an all round artist who will never quit the arts for anything under the sun.

The 32-year-old artist is a dancer, actor and musician.

He said his interest in the arts began in 1992, when he was in grade one.

“My uncle used to have a drama group in Tembisa and I would come back from school to watch them rehearse in our yard,” said Mr Mzima

As a young boy, he would sit thorough the rehearsals to learn songs and every step of each choreography.

He said when the group dissolved his uncle was left with a few members who encouraged him to continue despite the setback.

The uncle was then sitting with a costume and a shortage of performers.

Bhele was at the right place at the right time.

“The absence of performers led to me being considered for part of the cast as a child performer,” said Bhele.

He said the group was doing street performances and it would have all kinds of audiences while out performing.

“At the age of eight I was on street performances with adults and the audience response was positive for what I was doing,” he said.

He said the experience of being in front of many people was scary but he pushed on as he enjoyed the ululation from the cheering audience.

“I knew right there that I was on the right track, thereafter my mind was set on performing arts and I was eager to learn more,” he said.

Today Mr Mzima boasts enormous experience, which he received from famous South African musicals like Umoja.

“I have worked in the wold cup with big names such as Mbongeni Ngema,” he said.

He said the arts have their own downside where one goes months on end without a job.

“In such times my family would help me with my two children while I was waiting in audition queues.”

He was then forced to take a regular job. He eventually resigned from the job to once again pursue his love for the arts.

He said he was not happy as a retail employee and that affected his productivity.

“Now I am my own business, even though the entertainment industry is not as glamorous as it looks,” he said.

Patrons pick a random song and Bhele plays it to entertain your guests.

Thembinkosi “Bhele” Mzima, as a business, does live music performances for a fee at various events like weddings, parties and anniversaries.

“To survive one needs perseverance and to be true to yourself.”

He said what keeps him going is the belief his grandmother has in him.

“As an artist never stop learning,” he said.

If you want to enlist Bhele’s services at your events phone 064 104 2952.