Dikelo Mamiala refuses to be boxed in. Singer, songwriter, actress, producer and self-described corporate girlie by day, she does it all. Fresh off the release of her second EP, Mamiala is now preparing to take on a new role in the one-woman cabaret Brenda and I, premiering at the Umtiza Festival in KuGompo City before heading to the National Arts Festival Fringe. The production follows a performer who has spent years singing Brenda Fassie covers as she confronts the question that has long haunted her: who is she without Brenda? We put our eight go-to questions to the multi-hyphenate creative.
What’s the best book you’ve read in the past year? And why?
She Works His Way: A Practical Guide for Doing What Matters Most in a Get-Things-Done World by Michelle Myers and Somer Phoebus. It’s a faith-based book that addresses the tension women face in balancing careers, families and their faith through several core principles. As someone who holds leadership roles in different areas of my life, it’s been a valuable book to help me realign my priorities, and not have my identity defined by any of those roles, but also redefining what “balance” means or looks like in each season of my life.
How do you keep fit?
I do CrossFit. I’ve loved seeing how strong I’ve become, training and connecting with people who are so inspiring in their fitness journey, and just redefining what fitness and beauty look like. To quote my coach Lara: “In a world where skinny can now be bought, strength reminds us of what it means to put in the work.”
Week-night, low-key restaurant go-to?
Doppio Zero. I think I’ve unintentionally memorised the entire menu.
What is the one artwork you’ll always love, and why?
I’m embarrassed to say I don’t visit galleries enough to have an inspiring answer for this. But if I had to pick an answer, all the artwork my nieces and nephew have made for me, or any family/friends’ kids’ art, comes to mind. Kids are so intentional with these kinds of things, so it brings me joy when they present their masterpiece. I take it seriously. For someone who doesn’t have kids, my fridge has a few masterpieces from little humans.
Do you have a hobby? What is it?
Karaoke – it’s a way of life. Travel. And almost anything involving food and bubbles.
The one unusual item you can’t live without?
A giant scarf. I am always cold. I go nowhere without a scarf, even in summer.
Who was your high school celeb crush?
Do I have to choose only one? If not, here are my three all-time childhood loves: MacGyver (yes, the character), Shawn Michaels, aka “the Heartbreak Kid” (possibly because he low-key looked like MacGyver), and David Boreanaz, who earned the honour of being the first poster I ever had on my wall.
Three songs you’d take to a desert island?
This changes often, but right now it’s There Goes That Man by Abbie Gamboa, Privilege by Abbie Gamboa and Aodhán King, and Bloody Samaritan by Ayra Starr.
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Top image: supplied.
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