WeeklySA_AdminPOSTMORTEM: After his appearance on a reality show, Musi learns both politics and live entertainment are about winning people’s hearts…
By Gugu Sibiya
With his biggest out-of-box experience so far, Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane says it took a lot of convincing from producers to be part of The Masked Singer SA television show.
Still, it was not until he had chat with his wife about the approach that he finally agreed to give it a go. For his troubles, the Soweto-born former DA leader became the latest personality to hit the road from The Masked Singer SA on Saturday.
With that odd item now out of his bucket list, Maimane took time of the off the mic – for keeps, he vows – to do a postmortem with Weekly SA Mirror on his karaoke experience on the stage.
“It would take a lot of convincing to have me do the show again, especially with a lot of clues that have been given away,” he says, with unmistakable resoluteness in his tone.
“It’s one of those things you do once in a lifetime. As somebody who’s in politics, naturally it was refreshing to do something out of the ordinary and not routine but fun”.
He says it took him two weeks to think about taking part in the weekly reality TV show. “I had to discuss it with my wife first for her to agree for me to do it but we couldn’t tell our kids.
“But not to tell your people at the office, they’d look at our diary and go, ‘why is this appointment booked out?’ We don’t even know what this is about. But you had to keep it all a secret, right?” he states.
With the benefit of hindsight, he adds: “Participating in the reality series was a great experience. It’s very nerve wrecking, very daunting. It’s a big task because you don’t know what’s going to happen but my kids have watched it. We’ve watched the international versions of the show, the USA and UK. So, it was great being part of The Masked Singer SA. I thought the production was incredible. It was a fun experience”.
On his six-week preparations behind the mic, Mamaine alludes that growing up with the love of music was kind of helpful for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. “I grew up listening to Lionel Richie and The Commodores. So, Easy is one of my favourite songs. Mthande, which I did on the opening night, was suggested by someone because he had a smoothness to it.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about singing, it’s a bit like you’ve got to have an audience in mind. You need to know who you’re singing for. So that song was great. I sang with my wife as a picture in the background.
“We had to pick some interesting songs. Khaya Mthethwa was unbelievable in trying to help me to sing and sing well. The mask also helps you not to imagine people knowing who you are and judging you while they’re listening to your performance. And it was easier because I sang with my wife’s face in mind. You just have to know who you’re singing for.
“As a public figure and one who’s leading a political party and working in the country, I said to the producer and Anele Mdoda , I don’t want to be a banana. Once you’re a banana. Once a banana, you’ll always be a banana. I told Anele I wasn’t going to do it unless I get a strong mask.
“People watching the show. Imagine you’re a lollipop or whatever. It works for some people, if you’re a comedian like David Kau. You can pick whatever suits your career. Mine is about fighting for this country, that’s what I’m about,” he says, chuckling at how uncomfortable the attire was.
“You couldn’t sit on it.”
With elections beckoning on the horizon, Maimane was back at his familiar territory, discussing gives a go every day. “I’m just an ordinary person trying hard for his country and building steam for next year’s elections. We’re the fastest growing political party. We’re encouraging the young people to register, thereby letting their voices to be heard.
“We’re in it to win. We know we have to send a strong message by making it to the Top Four parties in the country. We’re wooing all races who long for something new and fresh for the next generation,” he concludes confidently.
MARKET THEATRE KICKS OFF WINTER SEASON
HEADLINER: Mind-blaster stage play Khongolose Khomanding Khommissars set to chase winter blues for Jozi audiences…
By Gugu Sibiya
Mokgonyana in KKK
In one of those totally unexpected moves, The Market Theatre Foundation descended on the National Arts Festival to unleash some of their pride-inducing productions on unsuspecting audiences in Makhanda on the Eastern Cape recently. Now it’s back to Gauteng for their July season.
Leading the pack to premier at Makhanda in June was the thought-provoking Khongolose Khommanding Khommissars (KKK), which blew audiences’ socks away with its exhilarating performances. It was just what the doctor ordered to encourage dialogue about contemporary politics and where the country is, currently.
With the Makhanda excursion done and dusted, it is Gauteng audiences’ turn to be blown away on July 26, when the stage play hits The Market.
Directed by the dynamic duo who are 2022 Standard Bank Young Artists Award winners, Bafana Langa and Mahlatsi Mokgonyana, the J Bobs Tshabalala’s production has been hailed as, not only thought-provoking, but reflecting a grasp of the tricky relationship between politicians and businessmen, zooming into the intricate web woven between them. This unseeming axis has been identified as the main contributor to the country’s chaotic political landscape.
Langa is still celebrated, having occupied Makhanda festival-goer’s minds for his outstanding portrayal of his multi-award-winning and highly esteemed one-man piece, Tswalo, directed by his highly acclaimed friend, Mokgonyana.
The play probes issues related to elitist culture; greed through corruption, using exclusive lingua franca that disguises the farce of socio-political revolution.
Market Theatre Laboratory, which is the educational wing of The Market Theatre Foundation, presented KiDDING under mentor Stell Dlangalala’s guidance and Thabang Chauke, fellow students at the institutions. It seamlessly fuses dance, music and text, tackling untold youth struggles with friendship, school and the digital world.
The second piece was Tshabalala’s Think Tank: The Dope Shop MeetsThe Spaza. A collaboration with Langa and Mokgonyana who wore directors’ hats. The audience is roped in to becoming part of the real action. A lively production showcasing the distinctive vocal and dance approach characteristic of Tshabalala’s offerings.
Not to be outdone, the Market Photo Workshop presented a captivating photographic exhibition, showing off the vision and artistic prowess of the photographers. The images explored diverse themes, offering the unique perspective and narratives that capture the essence of contemporary South Africa.
Through a group exhibition titled “Ukubakho Nokubona”, the Workshop brought eight lens women on board who’d been trained to use photography as a tool for awareness. They tell their stories, widening audiences’ understanding of their lived realities.
Catch Khongolose Khommanding Khommissars (KKK) at The Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg, on July 26 to August 6.
