LORCIA COOPER KUMALO DANCING TO HER OWN RHYTHM

There’s something almost poetic about the way Lorcia Cooper Kumalo moves. She’s one of South Africa’s most talented and acclaimed performers.

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In the heart of the Mother City, a remarkable artist emerged from the talent that is Lorcia Cooper. Her journey has been marked by change and resilience. “For the first four years of my life, I lived with my parents, and later moved in with my grandmother,” she recalls.She serendipitously found her passion in those formative years. 

“My cousin was doing Latin American dancing. So, on Sundays, I would attend her lessons and dance in the background,” she says. This led to discovering her true calling, thanks to renowned dance teacher Debbie Turner, who recognised and nurtured her talent. “Debbie used to drive 35 kilometres to come and fetch me so I could attend lessons. It’s one thing to have talent but another to have someone to support your talent.”

With dedication and hard work, she honed her skills and kindled a profound love for the art of movement. “Dance is a form of escapism, a way to process my feelings,” she says. At the age of 15, Lorcia joined the Cape Youth Dance Company, heralding her entry into the bright lights. Her professional career began when Lorcia was 18, with the North West Dance Company. She was soon nominated for a FNB Vita Best Female Dancer Award. And, thus, her trajectory as a rising star in the dance community was set on course.



BREAKTHROUGH MOMENTS
However, Lorcia’s artistic spirit refused to be confined solely to the dance floor or stage. Eager to explore new forms of self-expression, she soon found herself in the acting world. Her breakthrough came in 2000 when she landed the role of Charmaine Jacobs in the popular TV series Backstage, a story set in a performing-arts school. She also lent her choreography skills to the show. 

“Charmaine was a career highlight for me. This was the artform that elevated my life. I got to dance on national television, and going from that, I booked more acting jobs. That was, for me, so surreal.”

Fast-forward to 2016, after roles in Bedford Wives and soapie Scandal!, the pivotal moment came in 2018 when she landed a role in the award-winning series Lockdown, a gritty story set in a maximum-security prison, playing boxing champion and tough lesbian inmate Tyson.

DANCE IS A FORM OF ESCAPISM, A WAY TO PROCESS MY FEELINGS. BEING A TEACHER NOW IS A PROFOUND FORM OF HEALING AND PAYING FORWARD WHAT WAS AFFORDED TO ME.

“It’s actually when people started seeing a different side of me; my capacity and capabilities as an artist,” she recalls. “I’d been typecast as the ‘pretty coloured girl with the body’ for a long time, so I was very grateful when the role of Tyson came. Breaking that mould was a point of liberation for me.”

Her memorable appearance in Lockdown earned her widespread acclaim and recognition, culminating in a SAFTA (South African Film & Television Award) in 2019 for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. In 2021, Lorcia was also nominated for her role as Mkhonto in the crime-thriller Housekeepers.

Fast-forward to 2023 and she’s currently acting in Nikiwe. You can also look out for her new project out on Showmax this month.

BEYOND THE SCREEN
Many don’t know that when she’s off-screen, Lorcia teaches. Her desire to make a difference means she has dedicated herself to empowering the youth and sowing the seeds of personal growth and development. Her Life Skills Through Dance programme marries her love for dance with imparting vital life skills to young minds. 

“I want to give back what dance has done for me. The amazing other things it teaches are discipline, self-belief, punctuality and going beyond your limits,” she explains. Lorcia goes on to emphasise the remarkable ways that dance can change your life for the better. “As a dance teacher, the opportunity to enrich the lives of young students is, for me, a profound way of healing and paying forward what was afforded to me by my dance teacher, Debbie Turner. It’s so important to have someone to support you. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.”

Remaining committed to her personal mission of sparking change and empowering young people through dance and movement, Lorcia reveals that she recently qualified as a yoga teacher. “Kids’ yoga is something I’m taking on on a bigger scale from next year. Working with kids and teens is one of my biggest passions.”

THE ULTIMATE ROLE
When not in character, teaching or dancing, she is pouring her love into her biggest role: the part she plays in her family. “It goes beyond just being a mom. There really is no greater part to play.”

One of their favourite things to do as a family is Friday night dinners. “No matter where we are, no one misses Friday night!” she smiles.“This cherished tradition brings the family together and serves as a platform for reflection, conversation, laughter and definitely intense debating.” And that’s exactly what she and her family plan to get up to over the festive season. “It is time to take a moment as a family. It’s about spending that quality time together.”

Her message for Jet Club readers is her hope that everyone can “sit in gratitude” during this time of year and spend time with loved ones, “while looking at the year they’ve had and setting intentions for the years to come”.


QUICKFIRE Q&A
Favourite chill spot:
If I was in Cape Town, it would be the beach, any beach. Living in Jozi, it’s definitely my garden.
Fashion Staples:
Good sunglasses and a bag that fits all my bits and pieces.
Quote I live by:
I have two: “It doesn’t matter what they call you, it matters what you answer to.” And “Who you are is as important as what you do.”
Currently on my playlist:
Boddhi Satva, Deva Premal, Oneheart and jazz singer Shirley Horn. The Buena Vista Social Club feels like it’s been on my playlist my whole life!
Favourite authors:
Paulo Coelho and Dr Joe Dispenza.
I’m inspired by:
My husband, for sure.
My hobbies:
Does binge-watching Korean series count?
Dream destination:
Iceland – even though I’m a beach girl.
Describe yourself in one word:
Love.

Follow Lorcia
Facebook: Lorcia Cooper
Instagram: @lorcia1cooper

Words by: Koketso Mashika
Photography: Zhann Solomons