A group of street performers in Johannesburg, known as the 'silver men', have turned to body painting and public displays to entertain amid joblessness. They discussed their craft, the politics within their trade, and the risks of performing on busy roads. Officials note that while their acts violate traffic rules, they cause no major disturbances.
In Johannesburg's bustling streets, a troupe of performers covered in shimmering silver paint has become a familiar sight, blending art with survival. The 'silver men' pose as living statues in areas like Rosebank and Jan Smuts Avenue, captivating drivers and pedestrians during rush hours.
Thabo Buyapi, 43, from Cofimvaba in the Eastern Cape, discovered the craft while job hunting in Marlboro. 'I fell in love with the art,' he said, his body gleaming under the paint. His colleague, Mlamuli Dube, 34, from Alexandra, views the silver coating as therapeutic. 'It has helped me deal with the frustration of not finding full-time work,' Dube explained. He joined earlier this year while seeking employment in Rosebank.
The performers emphasize entertainment over profit, but internal disputes have shaped their path. They split from a larger group at Rosebank Mall after a self-appointed manager allegedly took most earnings, leaving them with little. At the mall, Buyapi once earned R450 in a day, but street performances now yield as little as R140 shared among the group, covering basics like transport and meals.
Health concerns led them to switch from silver spray paint to a safer metallic craft paint mixed with water, costing R40 per tin. They alternate between silver and gold when possible, preparing near the avenue despite uncertainties about skin effects. 'We are not sure about the effect of the metallic craft paint on our skin, but it is much better than the silver spray,' Buyapi admitted.
Performing on Jan Smuts Avenue brings dangers from heavy traffic. 'Cars we can manage well and most drivers respect our art, but taxis have none such respect,' Dube noted. Buyapi added that taxi drivers drive recklessly and damage their belongings without recourse.
Their aspirations remain modest: reuniting the full four-member troupe for better earnings to afford safe materials and uniforms. 'When we are together, we can make enough money to buy ourselves safe paint and proper silver and gold uniforms,' Dube said.
Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla confirmed the performances violate by-laws against loitering on roadways. 'However, personally, what I have noticed with them is that, unlike other people, like the crate men and begging mothers with small children, is that they never really cause a nuisance on the road,' Fihla stated. No complaints have been lodged against them.
