IF THE dead could spring back to life, at least for a moment to have a glimpse of the occasion celebrating a passion they lived for, internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Jackie Semela would have bounced back with a smile.

About 12 years after his death at the hands of criminals, the arts community staged a tribute show to illustrate his colourful life in the industry at the Soweto Theatre last weekend.

Different artists from disciplines such as dance, stage theatre and music thrilled the audience in performances that brought back the glory days of township theatre.

Groups from Gauteng, including Koketso Productions, Via Katlehong, fuller-figured duo XXL and XL, Tembisa Revolution and solo artist Mabeleng Moholo, performed.

Semela, who was known for travelling the African continent and overseas to import diverse cultural disciplines and fusing them into one universal language, was celebrated as a dancer, choreographer and an academic.

He was among a group of artists who helped introduce dance to the school curriculum.

Semela was known also as a co-founder of the Soweto Dance Theatre.

One of his products, Jimmy Sibiya, managing director of Gauteng Dance Manyano - another initiative Semela was involved in - said the performing arts community wished to preserve Semela's legacy by staging the event every year.

"The dance community still feels the loss. That is why we want to make this an annual event."

The main event was a collage of the works Semela produced, performed by the Maison Dela Project, accompanied by Storm Rhythm Ensemble on drums, a 12-piece cast and with Semela's daughter Thabile narrating his life story. It kept the audience captivated.

The works included his last offering, Holy Walk,Still My Friend, The Soul Thiba, Juluka and Tlagelela. His wife Nokuthula, also an artist, and Nomampondo Yakophu reworked and directed the pieces.

xabav@sowetan. co.za

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