EVOCATIVE innovation

 

ODIDIVA / Odidi Mfenyana is an accomplished performing artist.

In 20 years, since 1994, Odidi Mfenyana has carved out a career that harnesses creative innovation as an effective tool for sustainable business success in the arts & entertainment industry.

 

"I have sent people across continents to see ODIDiva" – Ruby Wax

 

THE GROUNDBREAKING STANDARD

 

In a matter of 4 months as ODIDIVA The First Live Drag Performance Artist of Beefcakes restaurant  Odidi Mfenyana catapulted it to internatinational stardom. Starting in November 2009 ODIDIVA garnered features in Out Magazine’s Traveller supplement, scintillating  public word of mouth, glowing reviews from international blogs, and record 9 successive weeks Sold Out season with bookings 3 weeks in advance. ODIDIVA became Beefcakes’ calling card.

 

Celebrities that have attended n praised her performances include; Hollywood & Broadway actor Alan Cummings, UK TV talkshow host Graham Norton and US Fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmon and African Hollywood actor Djimon Honsou.

The latter two stars were among the glitterati local and international elite at the Nelson Mandela Foundation Legacy Gala Auction, 21 July 2011. Here ODIDIVA’s inspired tribute performance of the iconic hit Slave To The Rythmn invocted a bidding war for a pair of signed designer shoes worn by Grace Jones. The memorabilia was eventually auctioned off for a staggering R100 000.

 

THE QUINTESSENTIAL SOCIALITE

 

Having traversed the world in the hit shows HOUSE OF THE HOLY AFRO and BIG DADA for a decade.  By 2012 ODIDIVA/ Odidi Mfenyana was now a seasoned performer.

His experience as a sought after Live Nightclub vocalist and recording artist  started alongside popular DJ’s Ryan Dent, Dino Moran, Shaun Duvet in 1999 growing include internationals DJ’s Tony Finger (Italy) , Murat Kilic (Australia)and German hitmakers Milk&Sugar.

 

A legendary nocturnal socialite as the unofficial chaperone of  Franschoek* debutante’s and young bachelors, Odidi Mfenyana became the Gatekeeper of Cape Town’s most exclusive VIP room at Purgatory nightclub.

This required him to monitor Flight Crews, lure the biggest spending Trust Fund kids and Playboys while maintaining an effective reconnissance among the Service & Hospitality staff of the city’s most influential and popular hotels and eateries.

* FRANSCHOEK - South Africa’s glamourous Gourmet Capital home to The Ruperts, The Rothchilds, former Grand Prix champion Jody Schekter also the chosen hideout for Elton John, U2’s Bono and the Cosa Nostra’s Financial Chief Roberto Palazzolo

 

THE FASHIONISTA OF SOCIAL COMMENTARY

 

 In 2003 adding to his credibility, Mfenyana was give a full page open-editorial in the popular broadsheet The Cape Argus writing on the evolution of Green Point Somerset Rd into a nighclub hotspot.  As a Freelance Journalist for Big Issue and several media websites like News24, Odidi Mfenyana became a feature in the front row of Cape Town Fashion weeks and events.

 This synergy with the fashion industry formed friendships and professional relationships with GQ Fashion Editor Arthur Malan-Mureson, Glamour’s 1st Editor Amanda Gowing, Marie Claire’s Kate Wilson and Jan Malan’s Umzingeli team who pioneered South Africa’s Fashion Show production and created MNET’s Face of Africa.

 

In 2008 Odidi Mfenyana opened the prestigious MNET’s Face of Africa Final. Broadcast live from the Sun City Superbowl to over 50million viewers worldwide, Mfenyana delivered scorching performance of his signature poem, “The Afro is African”.

 

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=136328740244

 

 

THE UNEXPECTED SOCIAL ACTIVIST

 

"Odidiva is live, loud and proud

 But what distinguishes is her political edge."

 

DESIGN INDABA, 1 May 2010

 

As a social activist Odidi Mfenyana is unrivalled by any peers. He has actively participated with Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) from organising Marches in Khayelitsha & Nyanga against Xenophobia. To composing and recording the original theme song for HIV/Aids magazine show SIYANGOBA/BEAT IT to appearing its opening credits for 5 years.

As ambassador for The Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, ODIDIVA persuaded thousands to participate in Drug Trials that helped create PrEP, a drug that taken by gay men prior to risky sexual behaviour to prevent HIV contraction.

 

In a haunting interpretation of the jazz classic, STRANGE FRUIT by JACK LEWIS, ODIDIVA expresses the grief for victims of Hate Crimes and Xenophobia, in a career defining moment.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z-grpZOwRU

 

 

 CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

• DESIGN INDABA British High Commission Banquet 2003

• The VIENNA LIFE BALL 2005

• The FACE OF AFRICA Finale 2008

• WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM Davos, Switzerland 2010

• NELSON MANDELA LEGACY Gala Dinner 2011

• The T.A.C. (Treatment Action Campaign) Benefit 2012

• MIX TA RACE #4, Divan du Monde, Paris 2013