Tembisa artist drums his way to success

The Tembisan met with a drummer from Tembisa who is often seen performing with DJs at many local events.

Thilisa ‘The Drum‘ Blessing Phungula spoke about his versatile art and performing skills.

Tembisan: Who is Thulisa The Drum?

Thulisa: I’m a performing artist who does poetry, acting and dance. I direct theatre productions and I choreograph. But before everything else, I am a percussionist. I play the drum, specifically the Jembe Drum.

Tembisan: What is your current project?

Thulisa: Currently, I’m working with children from OR Tambo Primary School. I am helping them with a theatre production which they are taking to a festival called Basha Lemetse Festival. The festival is being organised by the Department of Water Affairs). I’m working with a band called Echo sounds and I’m a session musician jamming with local DJs

Tembisa: Why did you choose this art?

Thulisa: I grew up in church; I was raised in a Christian family. We always had art classes in our Sunday school, so I was exposed to arts from the age of six. That’s why I love arts; for me art is life and life is art. I have never been employed except in the field of arts. I’m too creative and art is the only medium that allows me to express myself in showcasing my creativity to the world.

Tembisan: When did you start to drum professionally?

Thulisa: When I started playing for Umoja Cultural Flying Carpet. I was hired as a percussionist and a poet.

Tembisan: What are the moments you will never forget in your career?

Thulisa: The Alexandra Drum Parade. I was a coordinator putting together different African rhythms. There were six countries participating in the parade, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Norway and Kenya.

Tembisan: When would you say you have reached the peak of your career?

Thulisa: When I have build a theatre in Tembisa. My ultimate goal is to perform with big name like Black Coffee, Shimza and international DJs like David Guetta. I’d love to play with Gospel artists as well, people like Tembisa’s Solly Mahlangu.

Tembisan: How do you intend to share your talent?

Thulisa: There’s a documentary I plan to do. I want to go around the world, bringing together different ethnic sounds and documenting one sound. Sharing with the world to show that we are one people.