Meet the Ambassador of Tshwane | Paul Modjadji

Paul Modjadji is leaving footprints aroung the globe living his dream as an African contemporary, jazz, ballet and urban style dancer.

He is also the Ambassador of the City of Tshwane, leads NGO’s empowering people, has been chosen by President Barack Obama for the Young African Leaders Initiative programme and top of all of this, he is also a published author!

We had a chat with him about his accomplishments, his love for dancing and being the Capital city’s ambassador.

When did your mental process begin changing towards doing what you love?

I remember for years watching Fame the Musical and Sarafina and mimicking what I see. I

would fantasize about being a part of the magic.

I have been dancing for all my life so I guess from a very young age the interest was always there and I followed my dream from this tender age.

Programmes like Backstage on eTV was a reference to what I wanted to be.

When I won the Young Global Leadership award, I started to think more consciously about how my art can change society.

Where in the world has choreography taken you?

I have been all over the world, and my favourite highlights are; India, China, USA, France, Italy and Argentina.

Mention your most memorable performance.

My European Star Dance Union World Championships winning performance remains one of my most memorable performances.

Though the audience and judges never picked up that I nearly tripped myself, I don’t remember ever being so transfixed in a performance; I was lost in my own world. I didn’t think I would win so I decided to just have fun! And what do you know, out of that emerged a World Dance Champion.

If someone wanted to follow your footsteps, where would you suggest they begin?

I would say that youth should empower themselves with education and fill themselves with the knowledge and skills in their preferred art form.

Business skills are very important in the arts and not to be forgotten when developing your career in the arts.

I love this quote by Charles Bukowski, something along the lines of him rather wanting to be an artist because artists somehow find themselves at the doorstep of the rich. Omit the rich part though, my point is, your passion as a dancer has taken you across the globe, rubbed shoulders with amazing individuals. How important is art in the world? What is it that you are communicating with your audience when you are moving on stage?

The ability to influence people’s emotions, thoughts and psyche allows us to tap into our inner being in a way few thing in life know how to. When I move I hope to transport my audience into their inner being, to reconnect with who they are and be reminded of the limitlessness of their existence.

I stand to be corrected on this, but I believe that art is one of the most powerful forces to the human experience.

Top 5 songs at the moment that get you dancing.

Black Motion – Rainbow; Dj Fisherman – Call out; Bucie – easy to love; The Soil – Susan and Casper Nyovest – slyza.

When were you appointed as the Ambassador of Tshwane and how did that happen?

I was appointed in 2013, following my invitation to represent SA at Talent America Showcase in New York City. The appointment came as a pleasant surprise and honour. The city has as one of its ethos being a city that ignites excellence and in that spirit felt proud of my achievements in representing the City as a young Tshwane ambassador for excellence.

What are your responsibilities as the ambassador of the capital city?

I have the honour and responsibility of representing the people of Tshwane at home and around the world.

This title allows me to deliver on Tshwane’s motto of Igniting Excellence as I work to develop a leading African city and inspire the youth.

What do you love most about Pretoria?

Outside the fact that it’s really one of the coolest cities to have grown up in and to live in, I love many things about Pretoria.

It’s a friendly city, and one of the few where you can walk in town at all times of the day. It also never sleeps like New York! Lol.

Lately I’m proud that I come from a city that is so forward thinking and progressive in leading the access to Free Wifi rollout, technology has undoubtedly changed the way the world works and my city understands that!

How did you get involved with the Young African Leaders Initiative programme?

President Obama came to Johannesburg in 2013 for launch of the YALI programme. I was invited to this launch and knew that this is a project I want to be involved in. I applied for the position on the US government website, was short listed and then attended series of interviews with a panel of board directors.

I am proud and honoured to be selected. It is like a pat on the back for me as a young artist and social developer and it’s encouraging to know that my work represents and stands for something significant on African continent.

I’ve noticed that you try impart the skills and knowledge you have learnt back into communities, please mention these projects, what they are about and what effect they’ve had in the respective communities?

I have been so privileged to have successfully pushed a number of programmes that speak to youth empowerment.

On top of that list is rolling out free art education facilitated workshops to communities, running the Dare to Read programme that promotes literacy and of course many personal development programmes we run under the Leaders Who Dare to Dream Foundation.

Some of the effect we’ve seen as a result is access to opportunities for young people to Travel abroad and get into university institutions through some of our interventions and partnerships.

You are an author as well?

The book is titled Keeping My Core Intact. It’s an autobiography on the remarkable story of Business leader Adelaide Matlejoane. I suppose a little less known thing about me is my passion for writing. I’ve been contributing to magazines and newspapers since my high school days. So writing a book was a natural progression.

What are your other life goals, considering that you have been involved in so much?

To build art centres in impoverished communities, starting with my home town Hammanskraal. I believe when your environment is challenging the arts should be a place for your people to escape and find hope. I’m also excited about my next book title, due for next year!

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