Our very own Mister Bojangles
“An infamous character of Alberton, which no one knew.” Send in by Linq, June 2014.
ALBERTON – It’s Saturday morning in Alberton circa 1968 and everyone is going about their business. They are attending to the three “B’s”, Bank (which opened at 9:00 and closed at 10:30) Butcher and Bottlestore (both of the latter closed at 13:00).
Then a shadow stretches across the sidewalk, in the vicinity of George Cory’s Hardware store, just next to the Casbah No. 3 in Voortrekker Road.
He is tall, wears a top hat, tails, tight fitting pants, a walking stick and long pointy tap shoes. A crowd gathers and he strikes a pose as he breaks into song, tapping and dancing as he performs in the style of Sammy Davis Junior or Bill Robinson, the real Mr. Bojangles. The crowd is enjoying the performance and shows their gratification by tossing money on the pavement around him.
Eventually he finishes his routine, gathers up the money and moves along in long lengthy steps to his next performance further up the road, often followed by some of his ‘supporters’.
This scene played itself out almost every weekend in Alberton. The performer’s real name was never known, he was simply called by his stage name – “Joe Mad”.
Joe entertained us for many years and personified Alberton’s own Mister Bojangles.
What a pity he was never discovered by a talent scout. Who knows what heights he could have reached?
Joe, wherever you are, may your rest be peaceful and your tap be gentle.
“Please Mr. Bojangles dance, dance, dance – Mr. Bojangles Dance.”
Send in by Linq, June 2014
