THE South African Mzansi Ballet has been given a lifeline following an injection of R8-million from the City of Johannesburg last week.

This financial boost was spearheaded by Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau and mayoral committee member Chris Vondo.

"I'm delighted to be able to bring Joburg's support to this company going forward as a shining example of the contribution the arts can make to communities," Tau said.

The R8-million grant will be given for the initial year of funding, with an allocation for a three-year period, signalling the city's intention to support the company on an ongoing basis.

The ballet company says it has already been invited to perform in Washington DC in April at celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of South Africa's democracy.

The City of Johannesburg has had an ongoing relationship with the ballet company since April 2004, when the company, then known as The South African Ballet Theatre, moved its base from Pretoria to Johannesburg.

Ballet company chief executive officer Dirk Badenhorst says with sustainability the ballet company is able to plan well ahead for its two major seasons comprising six weeks of performances at The Mandela Joburg Theatre every year.

"I thank executive mayor Councillor Tau for acknowledging the value that a world-class African ballet company can bring to a world-class African city."

Badenhorst says children from the theatre's development programme in Soweto, Alexandra, Olifantsfontein, Mamelodi, Melville and Braamfontein - as well as young people from across the city - can now look forward to joining the company. - motaud@sowetan.co.za