Yabadaka Shamah

LITERARY ARTS COORDINATOR – MAHEFO ARTS CENTER, MAMELODI

Ashley Mopkgole AKA Yabadaka Shamah, started out in 1999 as a volunteer on the Mamelodi Heritage Forum and was later nominated as Literary Art Co-ordinator at the Mahefo Art Center. He has since been responsible for managing and promoting a variety of local Mamelodian legends such as Danny Boy, the one-legged kwaito singer and pantsula dancer as well as Master B and his reggae band The Ancients. Being a poet and musician himself, Yabadaka spends his time collaborating with various creative initiatives. His main aim is to promote Mams, to bring people together and to assist artists in reaching their full potential.