Actor, director and writer James Ngcobo took some time during the Arts National Festival to speak to Grocott's Mail reporter, Prudence Mini about his love for words and preserving African art, as well as his new position as the artistic director of the Afrovibes Festival, which celebrates South African music, dance and drama, and takes it to international stages.
Actor, director and writer James Ngcobo took some time during the Arts National Festival to speak to Grocott's Mail reporter, Prudence Mini about his love for words and preserving African art, as well as his new position as the artistic director of the Afrovibes Festival, which celebrates South African music, dance and drama, and takes it to international stages.
Ngcobo said it would be a sad day if he weren't able to act. "I've been performing since I was in Standard 8. During setwork, my English teacher used to make me and one boy called Booysie read Shakespeare." And that was the beginning of his love affair with words. Now, Ngcobo is an award-winning stage, television and film actor in the country and internationally.
It's hard not to be intimidated by his achievements, especially when the friends he mentions on a first-name basis include Hugh Masekela, Fred Kumalo and Rapulana Seiphemo. But his generous personality and genuine passion for the arts immediately draw you in, and you wish he could carry on talking for ever.
Up until two years ago, Ngcobo was the associate artistic director at the Market Theatre. Recent works include Songs of Migration, which he created together with internationally acclaimed trumpeter, composer and lyricist Masekela. Ngcobo describes this musical as a "huge success". Featuring the soulful musician Sibongile Khumalo and songs by Dorothy Masuka and Miriam Makeba, it tells the stories of the songs and history of migrants across the African continent. The show will cross over to the international stage for an opening in Washington 13 October.
Another recent creation is Sunjata, an adaptation of a timeless African tale which Ngcobo created in collaboration with choreographer Gregory Maqoma and Ngcobo, who turns 42 this year. He says he never wants to stop learning and growing.
In April he took over the reins from Maqoma as the artistic director of the Afrovibes Festival, an initiative of the late young South African artist Vuyo Raymond Matinyana. "Afrovibes is a travelling festival, made up of travelling plays – like Gibson Kente, who took the works to the people.”
Ngcobo is also a creative director of the company, Sibojama, that he runs with Masekela. He said the idea behind the company was to protect African heritage.
Asked what kind of person Masekela was, he said, “You always see him as an iconic figure… I can't think of another word [to describe him], but he’s a boykie. That is why he is constantly on our tongues. He has mastered the evolution of himself as an artist.
"Bra Hugh has worked with Black Coffee, Thandiswa Mazwai and TKZ. He has even recorded something with HHP [Hip Hop Pantsula]. Even a kid who loves HHP listens to Bra Hugh.”
In the pipeline is a production of songs by Miriam Makeba to whom Masekela was married for some time.
“Bra Hugh will tell stories that are not in her book. You know, how she loved putting nuts in the food when she cooked, and she loved [pioneering French fashion designer]Coco Chanel.”
Q&A with James Ngcobo
(1) The one character that you would like to play?
The one that I haven’t yet played, because I basically want to grow. Whatever you do in life you have to have a curiosity about it. There are people who do their jobs just to pay off their bonds and cars. There is nothing worse than just being ordinary… it's an insult to life.
(2) One of your best directors?
Spike Lee. Like me, he portrays black people with thought and emotion.
(3) What do you love most?
I love cooking. I am a better cook than actor. I make a mean mussel pot, or madombolo [dumplings].
(4) Three things you like about Grahamstown.
The cold, being part of the creativity in Grahamstown, wining and dining.
(5) One thing you would take to a deserted island?
A story that somebody's grandmother told them.
(6) Advice to young actors?
Make sure you love it, because its one of the hardest industries where, to make a mark, you have to work. An actor needs to convince the audience that the words do not emerge from a script, but from your heart, so you can take them on a journey. That is the magic of a fine actor.
(7) What do directors look for in an actor?
Directors today are no longer looking for a talented actor, but a clever actor. Actors must read, be curious about the world, about their lives. Somebody who proposes, somebody who has a questioning mind. It's frustrating directing sheep.
