Springbok Impi Alfonzo Franke says he never knew he had a “single creative hair” on his head until his talent was uncovered by teachers at Wavecrest Primary School and Cedar High School.

The discovery led the “Mitchells Plain native”, as he calls himself, on a path that would see him becoming proficient on both sides of the TV camera.

Uncovered talent

Franke (38) grew up in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain, but now lives in Muizenberg. He says being close to the ocean, mountains and nature shaped him from a young age.

“If you’re from a community that is close to the ocean, mountain or any form of nature, there’s an element of peace that you find,” he said. “There’s a sense of environmental awareness that you grow up with.”

His creative journey began at Wavecrest Primary, where a teacher named Shaheeda Duncan championed the arts and extra-curricular activities.

The interest in art continued when Franke moved to Cedar High School.

“We were part of the first generation that propelled the school into becoming an art-centred school,” said Franke.

A teacher at the school played a pivotal role in developing his creativity which would later define his career path.

“He showed us the fundamentals of fine art,” said Franke, explaining that a group would stay behind after school to sculpt and paint.

Franke said he did not know he had any creative ability until those teachers invested in him and soon his highest marks were for art.

“When I saw I could get like 90% for something, I was like, I’m actually good at something. I wasn’t good at maths or any of the sciences,” he said.

A career in film

After high school, Franke pursued cinematography at AFDA for three years. He went on to make several films and music videos, including the cinematography for Youngsta CPT’s “Young Van Riebeeck” video. Two of his most recent films that he worked on were screened at the Encounters Film Festival this year, such as “Amigo the Griot”.

These achievements opened doors in the rugby world, where he created content for the screens during live matches and performances. It was through this work that he met his mentors; Marlon Kruger, the senior brand and marketing manager at SA Rugby and Kirk Krotz of Black and White Stripes Creative; both of whom would be instrumental in the development of the Impis.

Life as an Impi

The birth of the Impis came about when South Africa was preparing to face the All Blacks, who are known for their Haka. At the time, there was no response to the Haka. The creative team came up with the Impi routine, a fiercer, more aggressive version of the traditional Zulu dance.

Franke made his debut as an Impi in 2017. He was directed to be fierce and intimidating, particularly towards the All Blacks captain at the time, Kieran Read. Franke said he may have gone over the top, getting caught up in the performance. Franke said he was so fierce that images of him appearing to attack Read soon went viral and by the time he got back to the dressing room “every journalist had my number”, he said laughing.

“The All Blacks captain said he had never seen anything like this before,” said Franke. “Even the coach said he wished half of his team had that amount of passion.”

The Impis are a hit

From that match, the Impis became a regular feature before Springbok matches played on home soil, though Franke says there is talk that this might soon change and that the Impis might accompany the team abroad.

Over the years, the other members of the team changed but this year marks Franke’s 10th year as an Impi and he is the only Impi still remaining of the original trio.

Going forward

Franke, who has become a father of three since his Impi journey began, said being called up to represent the Springboks is one of the highest honours for him.

“It’s more than a gig. It’s more than the five minutes of fame. I’m going out there to war for my country,” he said, adding that the Impis did promotional work on and off the field and are now a part of the Springbok brand.

Franke says he wants to use that platform to give back.

Little warriors

Franke says the Impi warriors visit hospitals and foundations and this sparked a dream in him for a Little Warriors Foundation, a non-profit he plans to start with the aim of supporting children who are fighting battles, whether it be health or poverty.

“Just to encourage that warrior spirit. We all need to have this warrior spirit to fight through because life isn’t easy,” said Franke. “I feel like coming from Mitchells Plain, that already shaped me to become a warrior in life.”

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