Autobiographical stories aim to inspire youngsters
As part of celebrating Gregory Maqoma’s 50th turn around the sun, and marking his legacy, the prolific dancer and choreographer has published two books aimed at young people.
The Joy Dancer, co-written with storyteller, actor and writer Gcina Mhlophe, is an autobiographical children’s book brought to life by illustrations by Elizabeth Pulles.
Maqoma says he hopes the book will remind children that their dreams can take them on extraordinary adventures, such as his.
Maqoma grew up in Soweto, where he found magic in music and dance as a child. His father’s jazz music, the gumboot dancers at the nearby men’s hostel and seeing Michael Jackson on television stirred his imagination.
He played the big drum for a marching band which accompanied majorettes and formed his own band, called The Joy Dancers, which performed for his community.
Co-written with Lorato Trok, his second book, My Life, My Dance, My Soul, is a memoir with young adult readers in mind.
It tells of Maqoma’s journey from his upbringing in Soweto to the global stage. He became interested in dance in the late 1980s, partly to escape the growing political tension in Soweto.
He started his formal dance training in 1990 at Moving into Dance, where he became the associate artistic director in 2002.
Maqoma has established himself as an internationally renowned dancer, choreographer, teacher and director. He has received numerous awards, locally and globally.
He celebrates his 50th birthday on 16 October, with the two books part of his legacy projects. —