Disabled Mandeni Zulu dancer stomps around on calliper shoe wowing audience

When Zulu dancer Sphelele “Mthakashana” Mathonsi becomes hyped up to perform, he tends to forget he is disabled and fearlessly stomps around on his calliper shoe.

This usually astonishes his audience, but those who know him, simply shout “Mthakashana!”

He dances almost solo, apart from his group, executing his unique dance moves with vigour, yet never missing their rhythm – a spectacle to watch.

By day the 26-year-old Mandeni resident is a public health official, but in his free time he is rated one of the leading Zulu dancers in KZN, with his dance videos popular on social media.

His trademark attire, other than the prosthetic leg, is a headdress of leaves and thorns and an assortment of empty Coke bottles and bread bags tied onto his clothing.

This, he says, is in memory of his late uncle who played a huge role in shaping him into the dancer he is today.

His uncle was a comical character who stood out from the crowd, especially when he danced.

“Dressing up like him consoles my soul. I lose my mind when I am on stage, hence I even dance with my calliper shoe. I know I am not supposed to, but hey, I can’t help it,” said the exuberant young dancer.

Mthakashana survived a stroke when he was just 5 years old but doctors could not save his leg.

He spent 2 years in hospital and as a result, only started school at the age of 9. He grew up in KwaSithebe, Ndlondweni, which is where traditional dancing captured his imagination.

“Some men working at KwaSithebe factories would practice their dancing in the afternoons. One of the guys, a cattle herder, taught me and the other boys the art of Zulu dance,” said Mthakashana.

He eventually joined his uncle’s group, competing and performing at events.

When the group separated, he moved back to Ndlondloweni and started his own group, now boasting 47 members.

Running a Zulu dance group costs money, the uniforms being one of the steeper costs.

Fortunately, when he started the group, he was still studying and his bursary provided him with a small stipend every month.

He used some of the little money he had to finance the group’s needs.

Their unique dress code, a mix between traditional Zulu wear and the pantsula style, sees them kitted in Brentwood pants, dancing shoes and the tufts of a cow’s tail (amashoba) tied to their knees.

“It was tough because I was the only one earning an income. Now some of the members are employed and we help each other.”

He holds a bachelor of science degree in public health and works at the Health Department in KwaDukuza.

“We want to change the perception that people have about Zulu dance groups. People think we are simply a group that can be called in to entertain and be rewarded with food and drinks. We work extremely hard and are professional, so we have to charge for our services.”

Ideally he hopes to attract a sponsor who can cover uniforms and transport costs.

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