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CNN Sunday Morning

South African Dancers, Singers Tour U.S.

Aired June 09, 2002 - 07:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Some budding stars have made a name for themselves on the world stage. They're South African dancers and singers who are now touring in the U.S.

CNN's Brian Cabell caught their act in Charleston, South Carolina.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(MUSIC AND SINGING)

BRIAN CABELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two years ago, these South African actors and singers had slim resumes, even slimmer hopes. Thirty of them couldn't read music. Thirty-five had never even set foot on the stage.

And yet now these former novices performing in early Christian stories known as "The Mysteries" and also the opera "Carmen" have created a sensation in London, Australia and now Charleston at the Spoleto Arts Festival.

MARK DORNFORD-MAY, DIRECTOR: The basic talent and ability is phenomenal. I mean South Africa, I think is probably the most musical country in the world.

CABELL: A vast potential he says is now finally being tapped.

The actors, mostly black, with a sprinkling of whites and colored are diplomats for the new South Africa. The nation is struggling to shed its dark past.

VUMILE NOMANYAMA, ACTOR: South Africa is not only about violence, Aids, you know, and all of those bad things. But out of South Africa, there can be something as -- you know good as this.

CABELL: Next up for them, performances in New Haven, Connecticut and filming a video and who knows maybe Broadway next year.

ANDRIES MBALI, ACTOR: So it makes us feel proud of about it about feeling proud of ourselves as well.

NOMANYAMA: It is my week. It should be so. It is. It was. It shall be thus. CABELL: Two years ago 29-year old Vumile Nomanyama was a frustrated music teacher, earning $250 a month, convinced he would never get a chance to display his talents for the world. Now to critical acclaim, he plays God tossing Lucifer into the fires of hell. And Jesus dying on the cross.

NOMANYAMA: I try to reach out to the audience, you know, I try to bring out something inside me. I try to explore, you know, various things when I'm, you know, on stage, and it opens up my mind.

CABELL: They have found something in themselves. The world has found it in their nation.

And on a balmy Charleston evening, these young South Africans only two years were removed from obscurity and self doubt are finding plenty to smile about.

Brian Cabell, CNN, Charleston.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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