Gig entrepreneurs need more than one weapon, says Loyiso Dingiso
Working in the “gig economy” has opportunities aplenty, but trying to make a solid living, especially in the first few years without a regular pay cheque, is best suited to those who have more than one gig “weapon”.
That is the advice from seasoned gig entrepreneur Loyiso Dingiso, who is well-armed with skills. The Mthatha-born “gigger” relocated to East London after signing up for a Btech fine arts course at Border Technikon. However, gigging does not come close to describing Dingiso’s current portfolio of skills.
“When I started it was an uphill struggle that I would not wish on school leavers unless they have skills that can be built into a foundation for a business venture,” he said.
“I loved the student life and the opportunity to experiment with all the elements of the fine arts, but my favourite was probably painting.”
His most recent art works were two huge murals on both ends of the new garage and retail section of a Ngqushwa fuel station.
“The murals tested my skills on a ladder and scaffolding but I am well satisfied with the job, and equally important, so is the person who contracted me.”
Having graduated nearly 25 years ago, he said the experimentation aspect of his life, as an entrepreneur, resulted in him having to add a few new tricks to his offering.
“I still paint, and it is one of the sturdier pillars of my income.
“I focused on portraits and murals, which gave me a decent living.”
However, he also threw music into the mix.
“I write, sing, play keyboard, bass guitar and drums.
“I will soon release an album. It’s called Ingoma emnandi or ‘beautiful melodies’ in English.
“I loved doing it and I hope other people get as much joy from listening to it as I did compiling it.
“Music is extremely therapeutic. I have been very fortunate to perform with a few really competent musicians, people who actually make me look quite good.”
He also wrote and self-published a book earlier in 2022.
“The title is While you were playing rugby, and people can interpret this any way they please.
“One fellow asked me if it had an element of young white guys who did not look deeply enough into the trauma suffered by their youthful black countrymen.
“My advice to people is they should buy a copy, it’s a good reading journey.”
What he doesn’t say is that potential giggers have to be good at self-promotion.
Dingiso is a firm believer in both “giving back” and “paying it forward”.
“I was a reasonably good soccer player in my youth, a defender, though I am quite short. Not professional level but I enjoyed it.
“I still play in the master’s league. My early talent has allowed me to become a parttime coach, and I get enormous satisfaction out of seeing young people play.”
He is also a lay preacher. “I have two children, one in grade 10, the other in grade 8.
“If any young people asked me about the wisdom of following a career in the arts, I would give them the same advice as I would to my children.
“Every person has their own destination but true rewards are not just material things.
“They must enjoy what they are doing. I am equipped, through my own experiences, to encourage them but the final decision must be their own.”