Sascha-Lee Joseph
“While the spotlight typically shines on the actors and performers, a theatre truck driver can also wow the crowd in his own way,” chuckles Mankgonyane Johannes Kgatuke, who is Johannesburg’s City Theatres truck driver.
Being a theatre truck driver involves transporting all the equipment needed for a theatre production to different locations, setting up the mobile theatre space, and ensuring that everything is in working order for the performance. Mankgonyane says as a large vehicle driver, the role comes with its own challenges, highlights, and responsibiliti
“As the driver, I need to have excellent driving skills because I have to manoeuvre the large vehicle, often through city streets or rural areas and even unusual open spaces. I also need to be organised and detail-oriented because I have the responsibility to assist with loading and unloading equipment and ensuring nothing is forgotten.”
When the truck is requested for an event or a show, Mankgonyane is usually first on scene, picking up the truck just after sunrise in Chamdor where it is parked and finishing the set-up before the start of the actual event.
The truck was designed by Mercedes-Benz and built by Serco. It is a comprehensive mobile theatre and entertainment platform. It creates a professional experience for all brands as it is a technically advanced mobile marketing tool. It has a fully equipped stage (10m wide and 5m deep). It also holds functional dressing rooms, a powerful public address and sound system, as well as lighting, electricity, a generator connection point, and space for large branding. It includes a set-up crew, driver and delivery within Gauteng.
Mankgonyane says that although the theatre truck usage is not consistent and varies depending on theatre requests and external hiring, he still has a duty to do regular checks every week. These include checking the hydraulics, starting the engine and ensuring the truck is in working order for when it is needed.
He has been responsible for driving the theatre truck since 2016. His favourite part of the truck is its ability to bring performances to life just about anywhere. “The look on people’s faces when the truck door opens revealing an organised stage filled with all the necessary equipment for a state-of-the-art performance is priceless.”
In that moment, Mankgonyane becomes a hero, embodying the professionalism and commitment necessary to deliver a memorable experience for all involved. His contribution may be subtle, but it is undoubtedly essential to the success and enjoyment of the performance. Mankgonyane has huge responsibilities to communities and his four children. His phenomenal job is admired by his loved ones and theatre lovers all over the city.
SOURCED FROM THE JOBURG WEBSITE.
