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Helderberg Gazette
Entertainment - Vermaak
Local dancer needs your help Kirvan Fortuin (21) from Macassar danced his way to the Netherlands. CASSY VAN EEDEN Kirvan Fortuin (21), Macassar’s very own success story, is about to make the community very proud once again. The classically trained ballet dancer has been offered a place in the Bachelor of Dance programme at Codarts University for the Arts in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Fortuin began his formal dance training in 2010 when he enrolled at the University of Cape Town (UCT). He trained in classical ballet, contemporary dance, African dance and various other dance techniques. Last year he graduated from UCT with his Dance Teacher’s Diploma and is currently working as a freelance dancer and dance teacher. Born and raised in Macassar, his passion for dance began when he joined the Cape Whalers Field Band in 2002. He remained with the band for 12 years and maintains a close relationship with its members. “I’ve watched Kirvan develop from an insecure boy into a responsible, confident young adult, seizing every opportunity for development,” says Belinda Jackson, project officer for the Field Band Foundation. Fortuin still works alongside the Field Band Foundation to tutor Cape Whalers members
and choreograph their shows. After having attended the International Theatre School Festival in Amsterdam last year, Fortuin has secured himself a place at Codarts where he will begin studying at a second year level. He will be trained in ballet, modern dance and jazz and will learn valuable technical dance skills and theoretical schooling. Fortuin has performed in a number of professional productions, including Qaphela Caesar! with Jazzart Dance Theatre and Coppelia with Cape Town City Ballet. The ballet star is overjoyed about this new opportunity and hopes to dance for the Netherlands Dance Theatre some day. He is set to leave for the Netherlands in August. So far the young dancer has successfully raised funding to cover his tuition for the course. However, he is still in desperate need of financial assistance for his living expenses while he studies in the Netherlands. He still needs to pay for his flights, visa, rent, student insurance and his medical screening tests. Fortuin has approached a number of businesses and private bodies for donations and is awaiting confirmation from them. Any individual or business who is in any way able to assist Fortuin financially, can contact him on 072 755 0076.
Tuesday 9 July 2013
A generous gardener with multiple creative talents ASHRAF BOOLEY Back in 2006 a pianist was meant to perform at a graduation party in the Eastern Cape, but he never showed up. The graduation party was for one of Isaac Madola’s close friends, and this disappointment turned out to be an epiphany for Isaac; an epiphany which led him to teach himself to play the piano. “It was a disappointing moment for all of us. In that moment I told myself that I will start teaching myself piano in case something like this ever happens again,” he says. Seven years later, cardboard and wood make up the humble shack in Pholile Park in Nomzamo where he teaches children from the community piano, traditional and gumboot dance and gospel music. This includes teaching his daughter, seven-year-old Intle Beauty, whom he raises as a single parent. She currently plays on her own small keyboard but Madola wishes to give his daughter his keyboard once he gets a new one. Though it is an unlikely profession for a man of so many creative talents, Madola works as a gardener by day to support himself and his daughter. He runs Shooting Stars Development Group, which he says he named after Shooting Stars by South African singer Zahara. The lyrics have inspired him profoundly. The group practise at his house from 17:00 until 18:30 every day, starting with gumboot dance and ending off with gospel music and prayer. After losing both parents at a young age, Madola was forced to work hard and fend for himself with no help from family. He learned gospel music in the Lukhan-
yo Gospel Group back in Umtata, in the former Transkei, when he was younger. He has been singing ever since. He also learned traditional and gumboot dance in Umtata where he regularly practised in the streets with his friends. Though he now shares his talents with members of his community, he hasn’t given up on his dream of becoming a performing artist, he reveals as he brushes his fingers over the keyboard with gleaming eyes. “People think that when you are doing performing arts you won’t be very successful. They also think you must go to places like Johannesburg to make it big. “To me it’s not about that. What I’m hoping to do now is to leave a legacy behind and teach these young children what I have learnt. With this I hope they can make it big and become a success,” says Madola. Shooting Stars Development Group currently has only 12 members, but is growing as it only started last month. With this group Madola aims to develop young talent and encourage people to be involved in performing arts and to fight against crime and drugs. Madola’s previous organisation, Phaphamani Performing Arts and Gospel Group, fell through after most of his members moved to Mfuleni. Despite this, Madola is proud of how the organisation has changed some people’s lives. He particularly remembers seeing music potential in a ruthless alcoholic in the community. “I noticed that he could sing well and approached him. As his singing improved and he found another outlet to focus on, the drinking stopped. “This is one of the reasons I continue doing what I’m doing today.”
Isaac Madola eagerly teaches 16-year-old Asive Bohlo from Nomzamo.
PHOTO: ASHRAF BOOLEY
Support group meets
Skouspel op pad
The Helderberg Cardiac Support Group will hold a meeting on Wednesday 17 July at 17:30 at Mediclinic Vergelegen’s restaurant. Dr Mark Abelson (cardiologist) will be the speaker. The provisional topic is atrial fibrillation, pacemakers and ICDs. Admission is R5 per person; refreshments will be served. Book by 15 July at www.helderbergcardiac.co.za or email cardiac@absamail.co.za or call or SMS Hermann on 079 508 3519.
Huisgenoot Skouspel beloof om Saterdag 13 Julie die dak van die Grand West Arena in Kaapstad te laat lig. Dié musiekfees sal Afrikaanse musiekliefhebbers vasgenael hê met top-kunstenaars soos Emo Adams, Elvis Blue, Heinz Winckler, Kurt Darren, Nianell en Andriëtte op die verhoog. Die eerste vertoning begin om 12:00 en die aandvertoning om 19:00. Kaartjies kan nog by Computicket bespreek word teen tussen R150 en R250.