RADICAL ACT
A passionate Tony Kgoroge talks politics and acting — on stage and off, writes Shanthini Naidoo
‘THEATRE is self-imposed suffering,” says actor Tony Kgoroge. “Talented people test their souls doing theatre. There is nowhere to hide, no cut-and-paste, cutaways. People can see you, all of you.”
Kgoroge plays Johnny, a troubled travelling salesman in Nongogo , Athol Fugard’s play on at the Soweto Theatre as part of the Arts Alive festival.
A victim of sexual abuse and a charming con man, it’s a complicated role for which director James Ngcobo chose Kgoroge.
“Tony has an empathy for biographies. He does not judge his characters, and that is what works. He looks at the needs and currency of the man in the role,” says Ngcobo.
Kgoroge stars alongside Masasa Mbangeni, who plays his love interest and shebeen queen, and his rivals are played by Hamilton Dlamini, Desmond Dube and Fana Mokoena, fresh from Brad Pitt’s zombie thriller World War Z —a big-name cast for a theatre production.
“I wanted to use actors worth their salt — to take our hats off to Fugard. This play has not been done for 20 years. It doesn’t mention apartheid although it was set in the ’50s. It’s brilliant because it is a love story and that is always relevant,” says Ngcobo.
Kgoroge says he spent time with trauma counsellors to prepare for the role.
“Johnny, in all his life, has never spoken to anyone about his troubles. African men don’t talk about abuse. The sad thing is this hasn’t changed. There are layers of emotion you have to go through to find Johnny.”
An established actor who has worked on international films such as Invictus, Blood
Diamond and Hotel Rwanda, Kgoroge says although he finds the stage challenging and professionally rewarding, it pays badly. A known rabble-rouser in the industry, he has refused to work in local television until the intellectual property laws benefit actors, specifically regarding royalties.
Two years ago, he turned down a lead role in M-Net soapie The Wild, and picketed outside the set because the terms of his contract were restrictive.
“The problem is that actors don’t want to be seen as troublemakers. They want to pay for their car, house etc. I understand. But also, don’t lose the voice. Stand up and say ‘You are abusing me’.”
Kgoroge is passionate. “I want to know that my work will be protected, that I am in safe hands. In China, India, the States and Britain, actors are paid royalties. Performers are protected. Hakeem KaeKazim is still getting paid from Pirates of
the Caribbean so many years later. “Look at Egoli , Isidingo and Generations . They run for years and are resold all over the world but the actors don’t get a cent from that.”
He says there are few writers, directors and producers who make the grade. “You go for an interview and the scripts are terrible. I don’t want to be a part of that.”
Kgoroge teaches drama at the Tshwane University of Technology. “We are losing talent. People come out of school and leave after a year to work in a call centre. That is not how we build the industry,” he says.
Audiences and industry players need to be reminded of great South African writers, like Fugard. “I don’t think enough people know who Fugard is. We have a strong, talented cast in Nongogo . Audiences can learn who Fugard is through them.” • Nongogo runs until September 15 at The Soweto Theatre.