Is’cathulo Sabolova Theatre Production based in Duduza was founded by Sibusiso Tshabalala ‘Maloya’, Nkululeko Khumalo ‘Skhulu’, Sikhumbuzo Shabangu ‘Super Small’ and Ben Xulani ‘Bobo’ back in 2018.
The production was created to keep people, especially children away from defiling activities on the streets.
The founders used to dance pantsula in their own groups back in their high school days and they loved it. However, back then their groups were disorganised so they kept on regrouping and parting ways and that’s why they decided to start a production company that teaches young people how to dance. “We saw an opportunity since we love dancing. Our main objective is to minimise crime and take kids off the street. We are tired of seeing youngsters using drugs. At least if they have something to do they won’t have ample time on their hands and end up taking wrong decisions,” says Bobo. He also adds on to say that the group has been getting a lot of support from the residents of Kwatsaduza especially parents. “People are slowly understanding our dancing style (isipantsula) and acknowledging it as a culture and a lifestyle. At first they’d affiliate it with filth and untidiness, but they were always surprised when they saw us. We just love dancing and we definitely take care of ourselves,” uttered Skhulu.
The group has performed for one of the mayors in Mpumalanga several times; they have worked with Olwethu Youth Club and are in the process of being featured to dance for South Africa’s famously known DJ (DJ Ganyani). They add to say they would love to work with the famous pantsula group such as Via Volcano and they would like to be featured to dance on of DJ Tira’s music videos. “We take what we do seriously. Nowadays, art is taken as a career and one can make money from it. That’s why we’re so responsible when it comes to this and our kids’ parents trust us. The lockdown also worked to our advantage as we had so many kids joining us. There are over 150 kids that we teach how to dance and we have people recovering from drugs who joined this initiative, so we’re also giving hope to the hopeless as well,” added Maloya.
However, they mention how devastating it is for them not to have a proper practising space, and it becomes worse on cold or rainy days. “In the future, we’d love to have an art studio and teachers, so we can nurture people’s talents in the art industry. We are sure that it’s possible,”Bobo mentioned confidently.
By Palesa Ndinisa
