Meet Simphiwe Zaukana. He’s a former pantsula dancer who’s now working as an Operations Manager of Zinto Marketing Group. He chats to us about his inspiring rise from the dusty streets of Soweto. He gives the youth advice on how to make the most with the little that they have.
By: Fundiswa Nkwanyana
You started off as a pantsula dancer; take us back to that time.
Dancing has been in my blood from a young age; growing up, I was in a group where we would dance on the dusty streets of Soweto. We spent our afternoons perfecting our moves, and took part in dancing competitions during weekends.
You were discovered at the age of 18. What impact did this have on your career?
That was a life-changing opportunity and I grabbed it with both hands. I was hungry for a wider audience, eager to learn and very excited. I worked my way up from a dancer, MC, team leader, account executive, campaign manager and now, operations manager. When that door opened, I did not hesitate; I jumped in and kept moving and learning.
What lessons did you learn from the challenges you faced as an upcoming pantsula dancer?
Money was a challenge; generating an income through dancing was not easy. There were times when I had no taxi fare to attend workshops in Melville. However, I now know that we can host our own workshops in the township because we have the talent and knowledge. I also learnt that many private companies have corporate social investment opportunities that young dancers can use to their advantage. They can approach the private sector and ask for sponsorship in the form of transport or meals; it doesn’t always have to be money. The sector is willing to help people who knock on their doors with a mutually beneficial deal. It is sad how the older generation tends to relax and not give back, because it is important to help nurture young talent. They also need us and often, we are too busy to listen or help.
What tips can you give people who want to follow in your footsteps?
They must have a vision; I knew I wanted to be more than just a pantsula dancer. I used to listen to my executives attentively, and learnt a lot from them. Today, I am part of the executive team and it’s amazing because this is exactly where I had envisioned myself to be. It’s important to work hard, with determination and focus. Learn the ropes, be attentive and work hard.
What motto inspires you?
Be like a clock and keep moving. This always reminds me that I need to keep looking for opportunities, because nothing is impossible if you keep moving.
