Arts, food his main menu
GRAHAMSTOWN-based National Arts Festival director Ismail Mahomed shared a relaxing lunch with La Femme in the city he fondly calls “Grumpytown”. “It is my find-name for the town because I constantly marvel at how the citizens complain about the water crises, the potholes and the many problems in the city but still live happily ever after,” Mahomed said.
He also said, although he can’t tell much about the upcoming festival, that “festival visitors can expect an exciting programme that will leave them feeling inspired, challenged, entertained and in awe of the magnificent talents of South African artists.” He ordered grilled hake with vegetables. I picked Harricots because . . . it is certainly one of the classiest restaurants in Grahamstown. The waiters are professional. The food is great. I enjoy the ambience. I’ll know I’ve made it when . . . I can put my head on the pillow and not worry about it at all. I love my career because . . . it gives me the opportunity to live my passion for the arts. The person who has taught me the most is ... all the fascinating people from diverse cultures that I meet during my travels. I share my life with ... I’m a wandering single living comfortably in a crowd. I have a soft spot for . . . chocolate. I should have studied . . . law. It was my first choice but fate had it that I would study mathematics and end up in the arts. I’m listening to . . . Susana Baca. She is a Peruvian singer. I love her music and I was fortunate to see her perform live in Germany.
When I was 16, I wish I knew . . . that the struggle we fought for as students would be betrayed by our current leadership. My music weakness is . . . I’m a sucker for old songs. Give me John Lennon’s Imagine any day. It is still one of my most favourite songs. Nothing makes me happier than . . . knowing what I’ve done is going to have a multiplying effect. My favourite item of clothing is . . . a Nehru suit that I bought in India after watching a tailor take my measurements, cut it up and sew it all in one single day. I absolutely hate . . . deception. I cherish relationships that are based on honesty. I am saving to buy . . . a restaurant which will sustain me when I retire from my current job. I can’t go a day without . . . newspapers, access to the internet and my mobile phone.
