Many have seen the viral TikTok video from last year, of photographer JOHN MARVIN KIKONYONGO aka Maki, dancing at the close of the Ikon awards event to the hit song Sanyu by Fik Gaza. Quick Talk had a chat with him.
Most people know you as Maki. What is your real name and age?
My real name is Kikonyongo John Marvin. I am a Muganda from the Mamba clan. I am 25 years old.
A couple of months back, you broke the internet dancing to Fik Gaza’s Sanyu at the Ikon Awards. Did you dance out of impulse?
That’s me. I am always happy. I danced out of pure joy because we were done with work and my friends were packing up their camera equipment; so, when they played Sanyu, I danced for joy. The video gained over two million views on TikTok since Sanyu was a big hit at the time.
What is your dancing background?
Before I became a photographer, I was a choreographer. I used to work with the dance group Trojans Uganda. I have worked with several schools such as Seeta High, Gayaza High School and Budo.
Did the two million views impact your dancing career?
The viewers enabled me to grow on social media and also made me get noticed. Sometimes when I go to some events, most people will be saying that we know that guy. And when it comes to business, some people said, “Why would a photographer dance? Those are the people who don’t give us our photos.”
But there are people who have given me jobs because of that video. It gave me fame and people call and ask, “Are you the dancing photographer?”
Have you worked with any musicians?
Yes, I featured in Eddy Kenzo’s latest video, Byansi, which was released about two months ago. I have also worked with Sheebah Karungi and Ykee Benda, where I featured with Trojans Uganda.
What inspired you to start dancing?
From childhood, I have been a dancer, and my mum is a dancer. She is a teacher, but she was also a dancer at school; so, I picked that trait from her. At home, my siblings and I used to be in competitions for dancing and singing.
Your childhood sounds like it was fun!
I grew up with a single mum, and she put me more into the position of a friend; we connected a lot, we would talk, sing and dance together. We were more like brother and sister. I am now taller and have a beard; when people see me with her, they say, “Oyo mwannyoko?” wondering if she is my sister.
My sister Mercy was also supportive. I lived this life where I knew I had the support I needed. [Because of that,] I play football, I swim and I play almost all musical instruments.
Almost all music instruments? Like which ones?
I play the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, solo guitar, bass guitar, the ukulele, piano, drums, congas, trumpet and I try some sax. I also play the xylophone and local drums. Yeah, I have a cocktail of instruments I play comfortably.
Wow! And to imagine there are recording artistes in Uganda that can’t play a single instrument! How did you master all those instruments?
My mum used to fund my holidays because, at times, she had to leave me home alone. So, she would pay money at a music school in Bweyogerere and I used to go there every school holiday to learn musical instruments. I went on learning several things at different times. By senior four, I could comfortably play ten instruments perfectly.
Speaking of which, what was your educational journey like?
I started studying at Eseza, a nursery school in Nakulabye. I then went to Lugazi Trio primary school for my P1 to P5. Then for my P6 to P7, I went to Bupadhengo primary school in Kamuli district [his mum is a Musoga].
For secondary education, I went to Continental Whiteland College where I studied my O and A-level, then joined Kampala University for a Bachelor of Science in Education, with a specialty in Biology and Chemistry.
Huh?!Why then didn’t you pursue a career in education?
My initial goal was to be a presenter on TV or radio, but to my chagrin, my mum didn’t like the idea. She was worried I would pick bad habits . So, I decided to take on the option of studying hard to become a doctor – I studied physics, chemistry and biology at A-level.
I was able to pass and get points that enabled me to get into medical school. I remember I got the admission and fees structure for Kampala International University, with tuition billed at six million shillings per semester, but that was too expensive for mum; by the grace of God, my mum got me scholarship from Kampala University where I was offered a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.
She told me I could work afterwards and fund my dream of becoming a doctor; but with life, there are so many twists of fate. I got an opportunity to be a peer educator on sexual reproductive health with Reach a Hand Uganda; I used to do counseling sessions in schools and communities.
Yet here you are, doing photography?
So, at Reach Hand Uganda there was a program called Digital Fellows. They taught us how to advocate on social media. We began doing stuff like tweeting and began putting up posts on various social media platforms.
At that time, someone told me, “But Maki, you’re talented. Can’t you add photography to your skill set? It can speak more.”
I started learning photography which I added to my various skill sets. I officially started doing photography last year, which led me to a permanent job at Sauti Media Plus as the head of Photography.
Do you ever plan on going back for further studies?
Right now, I won’t lie that I may go back to school for further studies. I am working and earning some good money, which makes me feel secure for the moment. If that fades away, I have a degree to back me up, and I can teach chemistry and biology.
Have you won any awards for dancing?
I have a certificate from Uganda Dancing Federation, which makes me a registered dancer and a choreographer. I have a few awards from dancing competitions and talent searches, though I can’t mention them one by one.
Do you see yourself performing on a bigger stage?
I think whatever comes my way, I take it and I take it seriously.
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
I see myself as a very big person and this is because if I look back to the past few months ever since the video of me dancing went viral and I look at where I am right now; I see myself as a very big and influential person in this world.
What advice would you give to the youth?
The thing is, you don’t have to rush stuff. Everything comes for a reason and whatever you do, do it to your best. Whatever I touch, I make sure I give it a hundred per cent. I won’t be like, let me give this two per cent and I give this three per cent.
No, because I know this will push me somewhere. If you’re studying, study a hundred per cent. I told you I did PCB. I tell some students in schools and they’re like, what? I just have to show them my certificate, and I’d say, yeah, this is mine.
