The maestro who cannot dance

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Wednesday February 24, 2010 00:00

 

He is majestic when it comes to producing music and few can match his vocal ability but he is simply the maestro who cannot dance to his own tune. But a born entertainer, the Splash boss knows how to make up for his 'weakness'. When he takes to the stage he makes sure that his fans have something to talk about after every performance.   His funny antics came to the fore at his two shows at Orapa and  Sowa town. Never mind the poor crowds, those who came left with a plate full.

In Sowa Township especially, the legendary disco musician seemed really charged up for a performance.  As usual his turn came in the early hours of the morning and with his backing band playing and impromptu composition to keep the fans engaged while waiting for 'the man',  the Splash lead vocalist appeared from behind a sound truck parked near the stage dressed in a shiny cream suit, more like a businessman who is just about to jet a plane or attend a high-powered meeting.

Within minutes the band was on the track Vhomavhungu and the real party started.  But this number being a slow tune it would appear like Tshanda had improved his dancing skills,  but as faster tracks such as Tshokotshoko followed, his weak side was once again revealed. 

Perhaps in a move to showcase the talents of his band members Enock Nkosi, Stanley Tshiloane, Walter Sithole, Msizi Madiba and the rest, 'The Hit Machine' turned towards his band and started his 'choir mastering' and his boys responded well to his hand movements as he changed the tempo of the song-slowing it down as the keyboards play leisurely and then picking up pace steadily up until the dancers cannot match the tempo anymore. And the man holding that moment of fund together was drummer Nkosi, fellow instrumentalists only following on his beats.

Tshanda's fans seemed to enjoy all the clowning, they were clearly satisfied with just seeing the veteran disco maestro doing his thing on stage and less worried how he does it.

But Tshanda is definitely not the only one in the Dalom Music stable who does not have good dancing shoes. Ironically, it is those with good voices who find it hard to move their bodies in the right direction once their favourite melodies are playing behind them. Prior to Tshanda's performance Don B(Donald Botshelo) had fans in stitches with his witty dance moves.

Understandably, his lack of vision might have had an impact in the way he dances. But his followers like it, so who cares how Botshelo dances when he can sing any song in any tune and even change a disco song into a rap number. Albert 'Mavilos' Malahlela showed fans at Sowa township why he was chosen to lead Matshikos after the departure of the late Penwell Kunene. Singing tracks that were originally played by the late lead singer appeared to be a simple task for Mavilos, but like his boss, dancing is not his best asset. Patricia Majalisa is, however, lucky to have been born with both talents. The silky voiced Eastern Cape-born star was just unstoppable both on the microphone and on the dance floor.