TV, film and stage actor Mavuso Magabane (formerly known as Meshack Mavuso) has come full circle as he now directs a show that he acted in at the beginning of his career.
The seasoned thespian is directing Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound in his quest to tell stories about great black leaders in SA. The show will be staged at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria. Magabane, who has appeared in a string of television shows, has brought back a show he did while doing community theatre to honour the late Bongani Linda, who wrote it.
The 44-year-old father and husband says directing a show like Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound was an important chapter in his career. The Alexandra-born actor wants to remember the man who produced actors in Alexandra who are successful TV stars today. Linda's legacy lives on in his protégés like Nomsa Buthelezi, Mduduzi Mabaso and Magabane.
He tells the story of warrior king uShaka ka Senzangakhona, who was a visionary, prophet and a military strategist whose mission was to forge Nguni clans in the region into one strong nation through the eyes of a praise singer. He takes audiences on a journey to the glorious past through exhilarating song, praise poetry and energetic Zulu dancing.
“I revisited the story to honour the man who contributed to the person that I am today, which is Bongani. This story of Shaka is based on his last words before he died. King Shaka Zulu was assassinated and he is believed to have cursed his assassins by warning them that their rule shall be characterised by bloodshed and mayhem.
“So the show is an emotional plea by present generations to the spirit of Shaka to forgive us and bring an end to bloodshed that has engulfed our daily lives despite the attainment of political emancipation. It is clear, then, that as a nation we need to seriously deliberate about the painful reality of our complicated past before we could confidently map the way forward into a brighter, peaceful and prosperous future,” he says.
Magabane, who is still learning the directing ropes, is looking forward to dazzling theatre lovers tonight as the show opens. He admits directing and putting a musical of that magnitude together in just three weeks is not child’s play. What has been challenging for him is that the show features young people, some of whom have no stage experience.
In his quest to achieve an authentic portrayal of the Zulu story, Magabane headhunted amagida ngoma (traditional Zulu dancers) from Madala Hostel in Alexandra.
To balance thing out, Magabane has brought experienced actors like Thembinkosi Chagwe (who plays Shaka Zulu), musician Nkanyiso Bhengu (as Dingane), as well as Diep City star and Alexandra homeboy Mduduzi Mabaso (as Mshongweni). The star-studded cast of 40 is backed by an eight-piece band which features Simphiwe Skhakhane and Zakhele Mabena as directors.
“You need more than a month to rehearse such a show but due to the lockdown we had to do it in three weeks. I am not blowing my own horn but this is the biggest show in the country at the moment. I did it when I was younger. What I have done was to make it make big, add band and compete with the likes of Lion King. I had to go to hostels to get the young people who are full of energy, who will give us something authentic.
“For nearly 200 years, historians and storytellers who are disciples of Western and Eurocentric history have portrayed the Zulu king as a bloodthirsty tyrant who was obsessed with war and power. I think it is very important to revisit the story so that we don’t forget where we come from. It is easy to forget. Look what is happening now. We have people [who] seem to have lost themselves and forget what culture is. People are starting to question their culture and issues of ilobolo. We revisit the stories for the sake of our kids, so that they can understand that we had great leaders who had great vision.”
As a TV actor, Magabane boasts 22 years of experience having kicked off his career on a high note by portraying the character of Javas in Yizo Yizo. From there he landed another big role in Isidingo as Vusi Moletsane that shaped his acting talent. Magabane also appeared in shows such as Soul City, Isibaya, The River, Uzalo and Who Do You Think Your Are?
On changing his identity, Magabane says he had to adopt Mavuso, the surname he used before, to honour his grandfather who raised him. He took on a new name after he discovered his father.
“I have been using my mother’s surname Mavuso and when I found my father, I decided to use his surname. I dropped Meshack and used Mavuso as my first name.”
Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound will run at the South African State Theatre until November 14.
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