Durban — After setting the Playhouse stage on fire on Saturday with his show Winds of My African People, Lucky Cele, 40, aims to empower aspiring artists to be successful in acting through his NPO, Ulozolo Youth Organisation, which was launched in 2013.
Cele started his career after matriculating at Isibonelo High School, he registered at Isivananda Technical College, where he did his N1 and N2, but could not finish the diploma, because he was “madly in love” with the creative and cultural industry.
Cele toured countries like China, the US, France, Sweden and London where he learnt most of his choreography skills, and returned home with vast knowledge and understanding of the creative and cultural industry.
Cele then launched the Ulozolo Youth Organisation, with his industry colleagues, which was aimed at allowing artists to create their craft, sell it and earn a living, without relying on government support or companies.
Cele said that the organisation did amazingly well as it won the Ushaka Marine Challenge and received a contract as one of the internal entertainers at Ushaka Marine during the festive season. His organisation also received a contract at Moyo Restaurant where it served for two years as an internal entertainer.
Cele said that he also wanted to learn more about the administrative side of the industry. Cele has been a member of the Mzansi Arts Development Ensemble, from April 2012 to June this year, writing a script, choreographed, and composing music for an award-winning production, Mashu the Musical, which was staged at the Playhouse Company in Durban. It was nominated 14 times and won four awards, among which was the category of the best choreographer.
To prepare for the production, Cele and his co-stars, a group of 12 dancers, rehearsed and tapped into their dance roots.
“We have finished all the dance sequences and are fusing the show. The storyline of the production is conceived through a historical moment that took part in the history of South Africa, where the Zulu Kingdom was attacked by the British Empire and forcefully ruled their land. The concept is more on shifting most of the focus on political appraising and also commemorating monarchies that fought for the liberation of the black nation and who fought to protect the great history of the Nguni people,” Cele said.
Cele also said that the dance styles are mostly contemporary dance, Zulu dance and modern dance. The music is freshly composed with the element of traditional hymns and vibrant Zulu chants which suit the story being narrated. The two-hour production will bring about a new era in telling African stories.
Cele said that the storyline tells a sensitive story, which forms part of history and heritage as a Zulu Nation. People will be mostly educated and reminded of African history, pushing the narrative of unity and appreciation of each other’s cultures.
“It is also very entertaining as it has a variety of aspects of the creative industry, people will see dance, music, acting, praises, chanting, narrations and monologues. People can expect a feast of entertainment while enjoying a beautiful story being told,” Cele said.
Cele said that his career highlights include working with the renowned late musical theatre director Themi Venturas and Joel Zuma a legend in the theatre industry, where he choreographed his show Music in the Air, and also formed part of the Howard College Musical (Soldiers in the City) directed by Venturas in partnership with Pansa.
Through the challenge of the NPO’s lack of resources, funding opportunities and private sector support to actively support our annual programmes and development of the sector, Cele’s family supports him.
“My precious gift for the theatre is highly embraced by the support from my wife, Nandisa Miya, and my three beautiful kids. We have been together for 18 years, and every day of my life with her is a joy to my soul, she is an inspiration, a true supporter and a life partner,” Cele said.
“My kids are a cherry on top, they rally behind every work I do, and they are the true ambassadors of the theatre industry. I would also love to thank all the people who supported me through this journey, all the practitioners and theatre lovers, without your support, the industry is doomed,” Cele said.
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Daily News