Dancing to the beat of their own drum in Nkobongo
The dance group has won regional and provisional competitions and has performed in different events.
To play his part in the fight against drugs and crime in the Nkobongo township, Thokozani Mthembu used his dancing talent and formed Umkhonto KaShaka Zulu dance group.
The group has won regional and provisional competitions and has performed in different events including the BRICS business meeting, KwaDukuza mayoral awards, World Aids Day and The Ballito Pro.
They have even been on television when they performed on the SABC 2 show, Morning Live.
“I formed the group in 1997 after my brother, a businessman in the township, suggested I start teaching young kids Zulu dancing.
“I started with my relatives and their friends and it has grown from strength to strength,” said Mthembu.
Born in Manguzi, a rural area about 15km south of the Mozambique border near Kosi Bay, Mthembu was taught how to dance from a young age.
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Now, he trains about 68 pupils (33 girls and 35 boys) Monday to Friday at the Shayamoya Community Hall.
“Most of the members are still school pupils. Being part of the group earns them pocket money as we are regularly hired to perform at different events. It also gets them off the streets and Zulu dance is a great form of exercise for young people.”
Besides Umkhonto KaShaka (meaning Shaka’s spear) Mthembu also has other Zulu dance groups for men and women where he teaches gumboot dancing and a type of Xhosa dance known as ‘imfene’.
“I have realised that as artists in the townships we don’t have a platform where we get together to discuss the issues we face. So I started an organisation called Vukani Ma Africa Youth Entertainment which focuses on mentoring upcoming artists by helping them get recognition, providing them with information about the industry and giving them guidance,” said Mthembu.
The traditional costumes the group wears was sponsored by Semcorb Siza Water and KwaDukuza municipality, however their membership continues to grow and so they are in need of new costumes.
To help contact Mthembu at 071 050 0838.
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