Mangala Strider’s work is an expansive realization of what is possible when the mind, body and soul are in sync. It encompasses the teachings of Black Roots Science, The Temple of Hip Hop, Medu Neter, Kabala Mysticism and all the knowledge that comes with Afrikan Dance and meditation.
Born and raised in Mokopane, which is found in Africa’s Eden- Limpopo. He has been living and producing art in the Johannesburg Metropolitan since 2015.
Through eBukhosini Solutions, a community-based nonprofit organization based on Afrikan teachings, he learned that a spirit rooted in Ancestral knowledge, wisdom and practice opens up portals of Health, Love, Awareness and Wealth.
This is seen through his work as an expressionist and a cultural curator. As a cultural curator, he has worked with eBukhosini Solutions to curate poetry dialogues where the likes of Vangile Gantsho and Kgafela Oa Magogodi were key contributors and speakers. He has been a key member of organizations such as Pick Me Up Poetry and Phinda Mzala, where he helped curate several poetry dialogues, live music sessions and poetry events. In 2021, he started his own company called I Am Possible Arts and the company went on to host a number of shows in Gauteng and Limpopo.
As an expressionist, Mangala is a dancer: he can breakdance, do capoeira and partake in various ancestral dances. He is a poet emcee, creative writing and performance workshop facilitator and editor. He has performed at Phinda Mzala, Pick Me Up Poetry, Current State Of Poetry, Hear My Voice Digital Mobility Fund (2020), eBukhosini Solutions, Kwanzaa Mzanzi, I Am Possible Arts, and he was a part of the Izimbongi Poetry Festival in the years 2018-2020.
He appeared in UJ Tedx talk in 2018 and edited a poetry anthology published by Ratomillion Media in 2020, called Corona’cles. He is also a part of a musical band called Uxolo alongside fellow musicians Naptoron Nthute and Clifford Radebe and a break dancing crew called Bantu Breakers.