Dark cloud over Moving into Dance

MOVING into Dance Mophatong, which has produced a number of successful black dancers and choreographers, is facing a bleak future.

The dance company, which is based in Newtown, Johannesburg, has been struggling to get financial support.

Moving into Dance has produced choreographers and dancers such as Gregory Maqoma, Khabonina Qubeka, Faith Maseko and Tina Mnumzana.

Founder Sylvia Glasser said although the company was celebrating 21 years of existence this month, she was not hopeful about its future.

"When we started the full-time training, we had international funding for the company, but it dried out. Then the National Arts Council was funding us, but this year we have not received anything," she said.

Glasser said if it had not been for corporate funding and the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Moving into Dance - which is fully accredited with Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSeta) - would have closed down a long time ago.

However, for the past four years they have not received any financial support from the SSeta.

"It is not that we are doing anything wrong," Glasser said.

"Our work is of high standard and is moderated. We get first-year bursaries funding from the National Arts Council, the trouble is that many students come outside of Gauteng. We have to pay for their accommodation and lunch because in the past students fainted during rehearsals."

Glasser said next year they would be forced to drop some of their good students because of lack of funds.

Moving into Dance also offers students computer training, anthropology of dance, career guidance, traditional African dance, body conditioning and Afro-fusion.

- bambelelep@sowetan.co.za