kagablog

Thami aka Mbongo

Thami aka Mbongo: Black people are losing their dignity by being beggars for jobs, not trusting their integrity and are being reduced to performing “puppets”.

I was very fortunate to deliver a speech (some facts I will share in this article) at the National Theatre and Dance Indaba 2009 held at the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town on 7 February 2009 and after reading the Cape Times article by Craig Mckune on 22 October 2009 (Cape Town a racist city - study) I do agree and disagree with some of the issues in the Cape Times article. Since their study was not specific in arts and culture - I would like to share my experience in the arts sector.

There is a problem when people are being asked to speak their minds. When you speak the truth it is associated with politics. When you are outspoken about the truth, people always say you are ungrateful or a troublemaker. What I want to say is; a truth shall remain a truth - it must not be mixed with politics. That’s why I am not going to apologise for saying the following:

We live in the city (Cape Town) where racial discrimination is still our daily bread. The living proof of that is even in our theatres today; from the managements of these theatres to people working backstage. Black people seem to be “puppets” in Cape Town theatres. The few blacks who got the cake from white people and the system are feeding themselves and they should be ashamed for allowing that to happen.

These are words that this industry has made me, as a young black man in Cape Town, to know, love and hate:

Disadvantaged community
- I know it because I was born in that community.
- I love it because it’s one of the most creative, original places where you will find raw talents.
- I hate it because lots of people have taken advantage of that place and are making business out of it.

Exposure
- I know it because people from that community taught me skills and showed me that I have talent while they worked without being recognized and supported by the government, but some well known people or institutions who got funding from the government are taking credit for my talent.
- I love it because it made me to see the world, with all its goodness and evil.
- I hate it because it undermines me and exploits my people.

Development
- I know it because one person said to me: “A development is not a development of natural vegetations or development of buildings, but it is the development of people and no one can develop people but people can develop themselves.”
- I love it because it makes you grow as a person and as an artist.
- I hate it because people undermine you and think your whole life you need to be developed and you are never ready.

Opportunities
- I know them because in school they taught me that Otto von Bismarck said that when opportunity presents itself, one must grab it with both hands.
- I love them because I have worked hard to look for them.
- I hate them because the opportunities that are given to me are those that set me up for failure, or if they’re good ones I must eternally grateful, to the point grovelling at the expense of my dignity and self-respect.

Look around and tell me; where are the shows by black writers, directors and producers in our Cape Town mainstream theatres? Where are black people in the managements of these theatres?

Some are still being developed. Some are still being given exposure somewhere. Some are still stuck in their disadvantaged communities where there is no infrastructure because of government failures.

Most are still crippled with fear, not even wanting to attempt because they know the environment is not ready and not prepared to even try and make space for them.

Interestingly, we do see black stories being told in our theatres, but who tells these stories?

I just wonder how long black people must be developed to be given opportunities to showcase how developed they are.

The government should do more on funding new works by black writers, directors, producers and managers. They should make sure that the state-funded theatres are practicing that. They need to invest more in black artists in Cape Town. The government also shouldn’t feel apologetic for that.

By doing that, we must never compromise the professional standard of the work because of race. I strongly believe that we want the best people with the best capabilities doing the jobs.

Black people, especially in Cape Town, are losing their dignity by being beggars for jobs, not trusting their integrity and are being reduced to performing “puppets’.

It is high time for black people to let their voices be heard and showcase their talents in our Cape Town theatres.

Thami aka Mbongo
Performing Artist
akambongo@gmail.com
074 861 4260

this article first appeared on artslink.co.za