A fitness trainer, dancer and movie fanatic in one

UNLIKE many that suffer from stage fright David Lungile Ncube warmly known as MJ, always exudes an earnest, calm and collected temperament whenever he sets foot on stage.

Even after suffering a near tragic accident that would have literally claimed a foot, MJ remains exultant in the eye of darkness.

Both a fitness trainer and dancer MJ says he was born to entertain the masses and remembers dancing at parties and events during his childhood, which he alluded to being one of the reasons he never suffers stage fright.

Known to many as MJ, initials he derived and christened himself after the late king of pop Michael Jackson whom he so passionately idolises, MJ is a movie fanatic.

“My story began many years ago when I used to be a fitness trainer at a local gym, Muscles and Curves. I was a spin instructor.

Spin instructors lead exercise classes that centre on the use of indoor cycling bikes. So, I coupled as well on aerobics, in order to keep fit as a dancer,” said MJ.

Counting back on the sands of time the 37-year-old said his dancing career took shape in late 90s to early 2000s when he was a curtain raiser at the Fanta Mega Music Festival.

“It was the most exciting time of my life. I curtain-raised and even performed alongside South African stars such as Malaika, incarcerated Pitch-Black Afro, Mzekezeke, Zola, Bricks, DJ Cleo and Mafikizolo.

This was the nudge I needed for my career to take flight.

Later on I went on to perform with local artistes such as Sandra Ndebele, whose career was also in flight, the late Beater Mangete, PoZee, Banyana Bafana, Rocky, and groups such as New Age to mention a few of head,” said MJ.

He said his passion and dancing talent led him on a path to be recognised as an upcoming choreographer . . . but that was not to be, as the dark forces of nature had other plans.

“Just as all was going my way I was involved in an accident. An accident that shattered my dreams.

I was hit by a vehicle and spent the longest of my time in cast bandages, grounded at home,” reminisced MJ.

He said at that point he was on the verge of establishing a choreography and dance school.

“At this point I was physically and emotionally shattered. I was dejected and unamused by anything.

I then found solace in prayer and counselling from the guidance of my pastor KM Harvey of Growing Faith Church.

As life would have it, I started on my path to recovery, with the first port of call being to heal physically as well as emotionally,” said MJ.

At the time he was wallowing in self-pity, seeking a way-out. MJ said he developed a keen interest in movies.

“I basically had nothing to do. The ligaments in my knees were torn, so I couldn’t do any manual work.

Mind you I had to provide for my family. I thank the stars for my parents who saw me through all this as well as my wife and child,” said MJ.

He said his enthusiasm for movies grew yonder by the day and he would watch at least 4 to 5 movies a day.

MJ noted that he almost took the dark path of delinquency, which could have led him astray from being a fatherly figure.

“Movies and series kept me out of trouble. The only trouble I encountered was finding them. I developed an interest in business-oriented films, intelligence, epic, documentaries, crime and action, sci-fi and martial arts,” said MJ.

He explained that during his time away from the stage and the gym, he engrossed himself in literature as well, where he managed to hone literary skills that have seen him able to create conversations with people from all walks of life.

“This is the age of accumulation. Accumulation requires a different kind of proclivity, attitude and character.

When you are in the accumulation stage of your life, your career, mental space needs to possess an insatiable appetite for consultancy, entering new spaces and terrains this will lead you to a great destination and this is my view of life,” said MJ.

Slowly MJ says he is returning to the stage as he performs at private events and functions.

“I am taking my life back and I want to mentor, as well as inspire a lot of people out there. Falling down doesn’t mean you cannot rise. It’s all a matter of the mindset that needs to be adjusted,” said MJ.