It was the end of 2009 when I became the creative brains behind the concept of Napo Masheane & Indigenous Orchestra, a live poetry and music show that was performed at the Joburg Theatre. Before then I had been crafting bodies of works in poetry (spoken word) and the theatre industry for over 10 years, tirelessly pursuing my artistic craft, growing my skill, while independently producing and creating fresh and thought-provoking theatre shows and productions. By then I had the pleasure of crossing paths with Mason and together we weaved an amazing business and artistic relationship. I was drawn to what Mason reflected and without a doubt we embarked on a unique journey of collaboration and worked together through a number of events and stage productions.
In 2010 Mason presented an amazing opportunity for Napo Masheane & Indigenous Orchestra to be seen and witnessed in Sweden, at the Department of Arts and Culture, South African Cultural Exchange. This allowed me and a pull of amazing creatives to be a part of the South African delegation of artists who were tasked by Mason to perform in different Viking Cruise Liners; where we had the opportunity of entertaining Scandinavian guests through its coasts.
Our mandate was clear and simple, to place South African arts and culture on a world map while promoting it as the first African country to host the World Soccer Cup in the continent. For almost three months we took the European audiences on a journey of spoken words, music and dance, layering our different performances against a landscape of traditional and contemporary forms. We transformed our art into three beautiful performance segments per day and gave the audiences a flair tapestry of what they could experience if they were to come to South Africa. We shared songs that hit home and displayed dance moves that were the heartbeat of Mzansi’s diverse cultures. Our performance sets raised a bar, our attires were an amazing display and guests were drawn by the passionate delivery of our beats and rhythm, which lingered inside them long after we had performed.
To this day, the relationship that sprang from Napo Masheane & Indigenous Orchestra has seen me and Mason further collaborating and staging many more outstanding shows over the years. Indeed, collectively we have been stretching the boundaries of live performance, while fusing and paying homage to different aspects of poetry, theatre and performing arts across South Africa and the world.
I am in awe of what they have achieved, created and the fact that they are turning 20 years old leaves me both humbled and inspired to know that I have been part of some of their milestones.