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Dance takes off in the townships

Choreographer Gregory Maqoma. © Unknown.
Choreographer Gregory Maqoma. © Unknown.

Edward Tsumele

Edward Tsumele

The face of dance is changing with increasing pace as the bug continues to bite in the townships.

Previously frowned on as an elitist art that had no future in the townships, dance is now being embraced by township folk - and they are excelling at it.

You can confirm this by checking classic and contemporary dance settings and seeing who is doing what and to what standard of dance excellence.

The most prominent dance festival in the country, the FNB Dance Umbrella, winds down at the weekend at the Wits Theatre. Black dancers feature prominently among those in line to walk home with an award.

The nominees are:

Most promising female dancer in a contemporary style

l Lulu Mlangeni in Rhythm Colour and Landscape of Pain

l Esmerelda Machogo in Living in a Construction Site

l Bonolo Ratshidi in Living in a Construction Site

Most outstanding male dancer in a contemporary style

l Daniel Mashita in Rhythm Colour

l Irvin Teme in Ziyakhipha Come Dance with Us and It All Began in Space

Most outstanding female dancer in a contemporary style

l Thoko Segane in Catching the Bird

l Sonia Radebe in Catching the Bird.

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