COVER: Tom London is dancing his way to the top
Dance has always been an unrelenting desire for Tom London. In fact the choreographer, turned entrepreneur, who hails from Soweto knew nothing else besides dance. So much so that he always envisioned his life being populated by this art form.
He knew deep in his heart that he was called to dance, as a form of expression to help release all that life had thrown at him. Tom London, as he is popularly known, was chasing a dream bigger than what the eyes met.
Seventeen years later, his talent and that of his crew members is being realised as they are recognised as one of the most revered dancers in Mzansi, choreographing major awards ceremonies of our country and sitting in rooms fit for kings.
Tom London, through his mesmerizing moves, has proven why he is Soweto’s finest.
It all began in the South West Township Soweto, his hometown called Protea Glen, where he chased forward towards the dream to not only be certified as the greatest dancer in Soweto but to also help improve his life that was, at the time, in tatters.
Real name Thomas Gumede, the dancer lost his parents at a really young age and that unfortunate situation led to a series of predicaments. Being orphaned, not having enough to eat and not having a real family structure, with dance as his only real companion.
It is then that Soweto’s Finest was born, with Tom London dubbing that moment as one that saved his life. Dance swayed his attention away from girls, drugs or his home situation. “All I knew was this deep desire I had. I watched people like Somizi Mhlongo and would always say ‘if dance could do that for him, it can also do the same for me’,”
With a clear mandate in mind, Soweto’s Finest grew in number to a point where members moved in together to keep the dream alive with zero distractions. That meant occasionally living with him at his parent’s place and he admits that making such a bold decision kept them in one accord of chasing the dream.
“Those times were extremely tough. I remember even asking Njabulo to go ‘borrow’ 2kg of chicken from his home so we could eat,” he laughed. “Things were tough, man. We would walk from gig to gig because we did not have money to our names . I remember a time when we walked from Winchester Hills back to Protea Glen or from Fourways we caught the train in a questionable way just so we could go home,” he said laughing.
The dream was enough to fuel them forward.
“My first breakthrough was when I danced at the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2010. I remember hearing my name being announced from backstage, Somizi Mhlongo was there as well, and I knew that marked a beginning of great things. We got paid for the first time in four years since we started.”
That, to him, was the start of them living out their manifestation. That they were indeed Soweto’s Finest.
“Looking back now, with a grateful heart, I can confidently say that all those sacrifices were worth it,” he said.
During his high school days, Tom London was an extremely neat gentleman and rather reserved. But when a dance opportunity arose, he would never let that one pass by, jumping in as one of the few to show off his dance skills.
His silence was unfortunately mistaken for arrogance many-a-time but what many didn’t know was that life had forced him to keep to himself, with dance being the only thing powerful enough to break him out of his shell.
Now, with four original crew members left and the group recruiting new talent to join them, including the Dube Twins, Tom London says he has his eye on growing the business.
“I think the past years have cemented our place within the industry, now we want to grow as businessmen. The vision is to own multiple dance studios, building on the one that we have at Newtown Junction currently. We want to own our own transportation, have a legion of dancers under us and be the most sought out dance crew in the country. I want to see myself work on bigger stages like the BET Awards, MTV awards and the likes. I have kept focus for such a long time and I know now is the time to reap what we have been sowing,” he said.
With a growing busy life, shows happening left right and center – including one taking place tomorrow dubbed One Night with Soweto’s Finest and music also being at the core of their brand, Tom London is also now intentional about finding love. The perfect female companion to traverse this busy and unpredictable life we live.
“It’s about time,” he said laughing. “And it’s not to say that I don’t have potential partners, I do. I’ve gotten numerous DMs and texts even from people saying they wouldn’t mind baring my children,” he said laughing. “But I am looking for my specific person, someone intelligent, humble, supportive, secure in themselves and understanding of the industry that I am in.
“Think of a Nomzamo Mbatha, focused, down to earth, private and has a heart for people. On a serious note, I think I am ready to build my family legacy as much as I have been doing with work,” he said.
