Flow PR’s Mildred Thabane, Tshililo Ragimana and Caroline Smith recently soaked up some of the best in South African dance at a jam-packed Soweto Theatre, where they attended the latest production by the esteemed community dance company, Vuyani Dance Theatre (VDT).
VDT is currently celebrating 14 years of existence and dancing excellence. In this relatively short period of time, it has graced international stages in cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare, Gaborone, Lagos, London, Paris, New York, Amsterdam and Singapore, to name just a few.
The key production of this year’s annual Vuyani Week, a week-long celebration of VDT’s repertoire, was Mwanzo, which means “beginning” in Swahili and which was choreographed by award-winning choreographer Luyanda Sidiya.
This new production celebrates those who have made an impact on the entertainment industry, honouring the artistic expression, wisdom and guidance of individuals who have inspired and contributed to dance in South Africa in particular.
“I’ve realised that all too often we praise people who impact our lives after the fact, celebrating them when they are no longer here,” says Sidiya. “I wanted to create a piece that honours those who came before us, as well as those who continue to inspire, such as our founder and artistic director, Gregory Maqoma.”
Mwanzo serves as a tribute to Maqoma for all the hard work he has put into the company and for the contribution he has made to South Africa’s dance community.
The production was also Maqoma’s 40th birthday present, a gift that left him overwhelmed with emotion and speechless – barring a brief expression of thanks to the Vuyani team for all its hard work throughout the years.