I write this column with the words of Ben Okri in mind that, “To poison a nation, poison its stories. A demoralised nation tells demoralised stories to itself. Beware of the storytellers who are not fully conscious of their gifts, and who are irresponsible in the application of their art: they could unwittingly help along the psychic destruction of their people… Great leaders understand the power of the stories they project to their people.” As much as I am prepared to criticize and speak against the negative in Mbekweni I also believe I have a responsibility to tell the good stories.
I was going through the social network site Facebook when I read the status of Thami Mbongo where he declared that he is proudly a son of “Mbekweni and represents people of Paarl” wherever he goes.
Thami is currently touring with the Tempest, a stage production that has a theatre luminary like John Kani starring in it. Njana, as Thami was known growing up in Mbekweni has starred in a number of television productions and the most recent being Shooting Stars on ETV. He won the 2007 Aardklop Best Actor award for Lara Foot Newton’s "Karoo Moose", and was also nominated as Best Supporting Actor in the 2007 Fleur du Cap Awards. Thami was also one of two winners of the Brett Golding Bursary Award of 2008 after a contest of 103 actors. When asked how he felt about winning the Brett Golding Bursary he responded that “It was a great honour for me as a young black South African to be awarded such a great opportunity. I come from a disadvantaged community where people are not familiar with classical theatre because it is seen to be only for white people. This award means I can expand my knowledge and share it with the community at large.” Here is a son of Paarl that deserves our admiration.
Another son of Mbekweni, Thando Baliso, is taking his theatre production, “The Last Ride”, to the Baxter theatre from the 16 to the 28th of March. His love for the people of his community led to him booking the last date (March 28) for the people of Mbekweni. I am planning to go and support him and hope many will do the same even if it is to say “sikunye nawe mfana” (we are with you).
These two represents some of the good that come out of Mbekweni. Despite what apartheid masters planned and did in Mbekweni it would be unfortunate to view it as just a disadvantaged area. It also has always been a vibrant community that nurtured arts and culture. As far back as I can remember theatre played a huge role in the township’s entertainment and political conscientization.
One remembers the likes of Radi Ndevu and the late Themba Titana on a stage in some of the June 16 celebrations in the early eighties. I used to enjoy the passion and the energy that was displayed without really following the political message. The late Samson George also comes to mind when I think of the theatre of my childhood in Mbekweni.
The township also produced the likes of Solomzi “Mbazo” Bhisholo who graced important stages of the world, including Broadway. A video (there were no DVDs then) of their performance of the play “Asinamali” was a prized possession and everyone wanted to see it and Mbazo in action. Mental sicknes unfortunately robbed South Africa of a brilliant actor and Mbekweni lost a role model in the world of theatre. His subsequent passing away was not noticed by many until Thami Mbongo wrote to this paper eulogizing him.
There must be a way of getting our young back to filling community halls and not shebeens, of getting them to participate in what is constructive instead of what destroys them. I, for one, would really love to write more stories that are not demoralizing about Mbekweni and its sons and daughters.
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