We sat with the talent KCity artist. . .
Can you tell us more about yourself?
Khanyisa is a fulltime artist currently studying at a performing art school called Rainbow Academy based in town. Khanyisa fell in love with art in 2012 when she did drama at school as an extra mural and since then the love for it grew stronger. She likes to call herself an all rounder or the 'Jack of all Trades' because every chance she gets to learn something new she gives her best. Khanyisa is a 21 year old that lives with her parents and three siblings.
Please share with us your influences and what is it about those people/things that you find striking and most powerful.
Well I won't lie about this one because I never did art just because someone influenced me. I believe that I had the power to influence myself and convince myself into doing artistry...but with that said I do have people that I look up to and would love to succeed the way they did. The first one is Simphiwe Dana; with her soothing soulful music, she makes me realize how powerful our Xhosa tradition is and how I should never forget my roots no matter what. I also feel very Influenced when I see Xhosa actors and actresses doing their best to be on top in the industry.
Can you tell us more about your practice and the type of work you do?
Well, firstly, at school I'm doing a Music Theory course and my classes start at 9am till 4pm. I then attend rehearsals at my community in an organisation called Light Of Life Theatre. I have been a member for 7 years now...There we do music ,dance , drama ,poetry and leadership skills.
Talk to me about your trip to Europe and how that has impacted you as an artist.
My trip to Europe was a very great experience for me as it is always a pleasure getting a chance to go outside your country and showcase your talent. I got to learn about other people's cultures and how they do things that side. We were doing a production called Exposed which was a dance piece. The Europe trip was not the first one though; I have been to Australia too with Indoni Dance, Arts and Leadership Academy which I was part of in 2016 & 2017. We were performing a production called Ikhaya and another one called Inkululeko; they were both dance productions with some vocal music as well.
What do you think is the role of art in your community?
The role of art in the community is luring the youth into doing the right things with their lives instead of ending up as gangsters and doing drugs. It is also to help those that are slow academically to find something positive that they can do with their lives.
What do you think is lacking in the art world, especially the Cape Town scene, that you think you will are bringing?
We're lacking support from our families and community members because they tend to think that you can't do music as a career or dancing and acting and they think that it's a waste of time. And another thing that's lacking is that as upcoming artists we are failed by people that have already succeeded in the industry because they are the ones with resources that can help groom newcomers in the industry.
Kraaifontein has countless talented souls who are set to contribute immensely to arts and the broader culture. What do you think you guys need to do to carry the current momentum and put KCity on the map?
Well for me this year has been KCity's breaking point in every good way because art is alive again. We have poetry sessions going on, hiphop sessions, comedy shows and of course drama shows which is a good sign. We just gotta keep pushing for more because I know for a fact at the moment KCity is rating number one.
What can we expect from you in the near future?
Expect to see a well known inspirational young woman in the art industry. Expect to see my face in one of the big soapies in Mzansi. Expect to see her music videos on TV. Expect the unexpected!
Socials:
FB: Kaycee James
IG: @Kaycee.J
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