Tell me about Drum Café and the work you do there.
I am a facilitator and a performer at Drum Café, which is a team-building and drumming company based in Johannesburg. It was established to bring people together from all walks of life.
When I joined Drum Café, there were not many women in the company. I helped to establish the all-female drumming, dancing and marimba group, Basadi Le Meropa, that worked under the Drum Café banner.
Drum Café holds team-buildings activities, like interactive drumming and gumboot activities, as well as performances like marimba bands and drumming and dance.
Tell me about how you ended up working at Drum Café.
I was a dancer in a group in the township before I went to Drum Café, which was looking for ladies who can do the gumboot dance. I went for auditions and then joined the team. After joining I also learnt about drumming.
You were on stage with Dolly Parton, what was that like?
In 2019, I got a chance to be with Dolly Parton on stage and I must say that was the highlight of my life. It was a beautiful moment meeting her and singing her song — 9 to 5 — with her. It was awesome; she is beautiful, down to earth and an amazing person.
Tell me about your journey to becoming a healer?
I knew from a young age that I was going to be a healer. My mum was also a healer and a prophetess. Early in my youth, my mum told me that I was chosen and must embark on a journey of being a healer. From a young age, I could see and hear things and make prophecies.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Growing up, I wanted to be a medical doctor, but things didn’t end up that way. I guess the universe had other plans for me as I ended being a traditional doctor.
What keeps you inspired about the work you do?
What I do now was never what I had wanted to do, but it is the path that my ancestors chose for me. I never had any plans to be a musician, dancer or instrument player. Every time I am on stage, I am with my ancestors.
What advice do you have for the young people of South Africa?
Young South Africans must stay in school and be empowered, then they can discover what they love to do. It might be playing soccer or cooking or whatever, but they need to discover what they love to do. That is what will make you happy.
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