The Fabulous Woodstock Starlites are celebrating 45 years in the klopse fraternity and they are dedicating this season to their previous owner and mentor, the legendary Jamaldien Jumah, better known as Boeta Dienie.
Boeta Dienie and his family carried the legacy of this team for over 25 years and anyone who ever wanted to play klops at the highest level, at some point, went to learn the game at the Woodstock Starlites.
I had the honour of singing for Boeta Dienie’s Starlites when I was just 16 years old, when Boeta Maan Adams, who was coaching their moppie at the time, asked me to be the voorsinger.
I remember as I stood in the singpak, guys like Moosa Parker, Yunus Jones, Mubariek Alexander, Sam Crouch and others who today are all renowned klopse performers, coaches and even owners, were all excited to be part of Dienie’s Fabulous Woodstock Starlites.
Boeta Dienie was a very charismatic man but strict when it came to how his klopse were presented to the public.
TRIBUTE: Boeta Dienie saluted by troupe
As jy dronk klopskamer toe kom, dan sit hy jou uit, pens en pootjies, or the gate at Woodstock Town Hall is simply not opened for you.
I recall him saying one’s dress code word gejudge, so dis wit tekkies en ’n wit hemp, en almal is stone-cold sober.
One day on the way to the stadium on Eerste Nuwejaar, there was a guy on the bus who became rowdy, en hy was ’n bietjie baie gesuip vir7am.
So the bus was stopped and he was made to take off his gear there and then.
I could not believe it, ek mean, daai ou het betaal vir daai gear.
But this was the character of Boeta Dienie, who always stated the Fabulous Woodstock Starlites is nie ’n dronk klops nie.
In its 45 years of existence, the Starlites won 12 carnivals.
The first year when they joined the KKKA they won the carnival and the Champs of Champs and to date no other team has managed to do this again.
This is why they can be called the Carnival Kings and they rightfully deserve this honour.
I mean, some teams win one carnival or one moppie for that matter and then they sommer claim they are kings of this sport.
Boeta Dienie’s daughters, Safia Jackson and Shamiega Hartley, say they grew up with the game of klops.
“Ons het grootgeraak in die klopse culture en ons pa het gelewe vir die game.
“As youngsters we used to help him run the troupe. As soon as klopse season kicked in, our house was full of people. It would either be friends of our dad’s or troupe members.
“They loved being in his company as he always had lekke stories to share or had good advice for them.
“A favourite rule of my father, and which we still joke about today, is when it was klopse season he would say: “Dissie nou tyd vir troues en parties nie, die klops moet practice!
“Our father was a very reliable person, as klops owner and as a parent, and we adored and loved him to bits.
“Little did we know that one day through the klops we would be keeping his memory alive.”
According to Safia, their mother played a vital role in the troupe.
“She sewed all the gears herself and stood by my father for over 20 years.
“She is the heart and the backbone of the Woodstock Starlites and won many first-prize dress trophies.
“The whole family was part of this klops, it’s our legacy.”
Boeta Dienie firmly believed the klopse culture must prosper and grow, and one of his famous expressions was: “Die klops gaan uit, met jou of sonder jou.”
The passion this family has shown for this deserves much praise and acknowledgement, and it’s not difficult to see why Boeta Dienie remained the chairman of the KKKA up to his death on 30 November 2013.
ALL ACTION: Starlites members put on kwaai show
Ebrahim Ismail, who has taken over the senior role at Woodstock Starlites, says Boeta Dienie is sorely missed.
“He was a dear friend of mine, and we all loved him and this year, our 45th anniversary, we will pay tribute to him. It’s the least we can do for the years of joy, friendship and mentorship he gave us.”
With that said, I do believe that sometimes we fail at recognising or paying tribute to our heroes correctly.
To me, the best way to do this is by showing your support - gaan hop mettie Starlites die jaar and sommer start on Saturday, 27 October, when the troupe will be hosting a variety show at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone.
TOP LINE-UP: Mujahid George to perform
The talented line-up includes Tolla Vannie Kaap, West London All Stars Dance Crew, Cole Alexandre, Shadley Schroeder, Young Visitors and Mujahid George along with other performers.
Tickets cost R120, and the show starts 8pm.
Book your tickets by calling 082 352 5320.