I learnt to work hard
The transition between BTA and SABT gave me
a lot more drive and ambition. I’d always felt I deserved things because I was
black and so on. But when I got to SABT, my whole perception about life and how
my dreams were going to come true really changed.
SABT was a completely different environment
where people were passionate about what they wanted – and they really wanted to
be ballet dancers. There was a lot more competition.
There were a few dancers who bitched about
my position – that I’d only got into SABT because of the colour of my skin. I
wanted to know I deserved what I got so I really dedicated myself.
I’d spend two hours at the gym running on
the treadmill every morning before class – and sometimes after ballet. Then
spend the whole day in class or rehearsal. It was very important to get my body
in good shape.
My quest for perfection
There were dancers who were much skinnier,
or had some kind of eating disorder. You’re always trying to fix yourself;
nothing’s ever good enough. You’re constantly surrounded by mirrors, which made
me miserable.
Obsessing about your weight is part of the
lifestyle – it becomes such a norm. At my ballet peak and thinnest at 49kg, I’d
have fruit in the morning, half a tin of tuna with a dollop of mayo and some
tomatoes for lunch, and the leftover tuna for dinner.
Now I’m a lot healthier. For breakfast, I
have fruit and yoghurt and then I’ll have a light lunch like a salad. Dinner is
always healthy: chicken or fish with vegetables. I hardly eat rice and pap. I
love junk food – it’s my biggest weakness on weekends. Fortunately I still love
going to gym. I run a lot on the treadmill, do aerobics and dance classes, and
I teach a hip-hop class. I rest on weekends.
Ballet has definitely taken its toll on my
body. I can’t sit for too long because my hips and back lock.
I’m still very aware of what I look like,
especially because television makes you put on about like, it doesn’t matter
what you do.
I had to sink or swim
I was doing very well with my ballet but I
came to a point where I started to question whether there was more to my life
than pliés.
My biggest fear was that I’d just stay
doing ballet. I didn’t want to earn R6 000 a month for the rest of my life and
I didn’t want to become a ballet teacher. I’m the kind of person who jumps and
then learns how to swim, so I jumped.
My life philosophy
It’s hustle, hustle, hustle hard. I’m
realizing more and more – especially as my mentor is Basetsana Kumalo – that
you have to have a vivid vision of what you want your life to be like. It’s
important to see your dream clearly and then work backwards to attain it. You
need to think about what your life will be like in five years – ask yourself
specific questions. For example, how many kids will I have?
I believe you should embrace risk and its
opportunities. As someone pointed out” opportunities don’t come past waving at
you that they’re an opportunity.
Looking forward
My husband, GC, who’s in the corporate
world, and I were married in December 2010, so we’re still quite newlywed.
We’re hoping to have children in about two years. I want to build up my
business even more. Hopefully I’ll have a long career in the television
industry. I’d love to be on radio too.
I never want to be put in a box – I want to
die knowing I did everything I possibly could and I did it well.
