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/ 15 August 2006

The best SA choreographers

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The Grahamstown National Arts Festival earlier this month celebrated South Africa’s wealth of artistic talent. As part of our 10th birthday, we name the choreographers who have set the arts alive.

  • Vincent Mantsoe of Moving Into Dance Mophatong (MID). Mantsoe started training at MID in 1992 and started creating his choreographic works in about 1993/1994. He is currently touring with a new work that premiered at FNB Dance Umbrella 2006.
  • PJ Sabbagha of the Forgotten Angle Dance Company is a contemporary dance artist who focuses on HIV/Aids issues. He trained in Grahamstown at Rhodes University and is currently working on a Macbeth project.
  • Moeketsi Koena of the Inzalo Dance Theatre works both locally and internationally. He trained at Moving into Dance, has attended Parts School in Brussels and has developed an international career.
  • Gregory Maqoma of the Vuyandi Dance Theatre is a graduate from MID, who currently works with his own company, Vuyandi Dance Theatre. He is also resident choreographer for MID and works locally and internationally.
  • Gladys Agulhas of Agulhas Theatre Works works with dancers and disabled people. She is currently based at MuseuMAfricA.
  • Sifiso Kweyama of the Okhela Dance Theatre is a former Cape Town and Durban artist who has just started working in Johannesburg and is attracting attention.
  • Sello Pesa is a choreographer from Reunion who now works in South Africa. He also studied at the North Contemporary Dance School in Britain.
  • Boyzie Cekwana of the Floating Outfit Project was born in Johannesburg and has been based in Durban for 10 years. He is considered one of the top South African choreographers.
  • Sbonalakiso Ndaba of the Phenduka Dance Company is a graduate from Jazzart Dance Theatre, Cape Town, who combines traditional African dance with more contemporary style.
  • Portia Mashigo is an interesting artist who was recently invited to a residency in Kenya.
  • Mandla Mcunu runs the Tshwane Dance Theatre and was previously with the now defunct Pact Dance Company

. — Georgina Thompson