As a sociologist he lectured at the University of Port Elizabeth (today NMU), and continued studying at Rhodes University towards a Master of Arts degree, whilst also producing the shark movie “White Death” (a parody of the movie “Jaws”), as well as producing magazine programmes for the launch of the SATV-2 Xhosa-Zulu channel back in its day (1982) in South Africa, under the mentorship of the late Bill Faure.
In the theatre, having been grounded in classical theatrical productions such as Shakespeare’s "Hamlet" from an early age, he went on to stage rock opera’s, where he produced, directed & starred in the singing role of 'Judas' in his award-winning and national media-acclaimed South African National Premiere of “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Mark is also an accomplished pianist, singer, choreographer & dancer.
As an illusionist he launched the first-ever illusion spectaculars for South Africa of the same epic scale as those of David Copperfield overseas, having been invited to perform for presidents such as George Bush Sr. overseas, and Thabo Mbeki in South Africa. The media hailed Mark's illusion spectaculars as "Sheer Las Vegas".Mark brought about many changes to the art of magic, making him the only illusionist worldwide to date to be able to claim the title “Illusionist of the 21st Century”, him giving the art a long-awaited 'facelift' with his multi-dimensional shows, and entirely new illusions (which he invented), both of which appealed to a more broad & modern audience than David Copperfield. A video clip of his last illusion spectacular “Magic Of The Future” can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrd61J_EyCE
During a near-fatal road traffic accident in 1999, Mark suffered some spinal injuries, which prevented him from pursuing his mainstay career of illusion, but the spinal injuries don't affect his ghostly productions. Mark came up with the concept of ghost tours for South Africa ever since he and his cousin boarded the London Ghost Bus in 1988. In early 1999, Mark began talks with an historian (Brian Jackson) about launching the concept. His road accident interupted the launch, and so the ghost tours were launched in 2001 at the National Arts Festival in the then town of Grahamstown.
Today
the tours run nationwide under the title "SA's Mystery Ghost Tours", plus spin-off
productions, but all of which are ghost related.
Due
to Mark's early pioneering efforts dating back years ago, he has
inspired many magicians & illusionists to perform professionally,
whilst his work in parapsychology has seen many paranormal investigator
groups, paranormal social media groups, and ghost tours
spring up around the country over the years - and he tries to assist
all of them.
Mark has contributed to several books regarding ghosts in
South Africa (eg: "Ghosts of South Africa" by Pat Hopkins),
and the Mystery Ghost Tours have become such a household name that
they have featured in SATV soap operas like "7de Laan".
The ghost
tours
have also received international awards, such as the Luxury Global
Travel Award on several occasions. Mark has also been featured in over 50 TV
programmes in SA and overseas, clocked up over 200 radio hours, and
been featured in nearly all of SA's major newspapers, and several major
magazines (including overseas).
"There is more in heaven and on earth than is dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio" - Hamlet to Horatio in Shakespeare's "Hamlet"