An international feast of dance
Image: Val Adamson
The JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience promises an explosion of world-class contemporary dance, bringing together dancers from South Africa, Spain, France, Réunion, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Germany and Luxembourg.
Hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Centre for Creative Arts, the festival runs from August 26 August to September 7 in Durban.
This year's festival theme is 'moving border/lands' as artists battle with and navigate the current socio- and geo-politics of border/lands.
Curator and artist director, Dr Lliane Loots says, 'We have a series of artistic encounters that we feel question ideas of border crossings, and have invited dance works that ask us to re-look at borders (real and imagined) which we are either seeking to cross or to renegotiate. We want to honour dance makers who bring beauty, humour, pathos, and politics to our stages and hearts.'
South African dance-maker Sbonakaliso Ndaba is this year's JOMBA! Legacy Artist, for her innovative choreographic work that spans over three decades. She will present In Search of Our Humanity, a new work that takes the audience on an emotional journey through South Africa's evolution. From the ancient, free-roaming Khoi and San ancestors, to the struggle for unity, it showcases the nation's growth and defiance.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
In Search of our Humanity by JOMBZ Legacy Artist Sbonakaliso Ndaba.
Image: Marco de Beer
In partnership with the Embassy of Spain, JOMBA! offers a special Spanish focus and showcases two contemporary Spanish dance works that celebrate a cultural connection between Spain and South Africa.
Spanish and Ivory Coast dance-maker Oulouy presents his award-wining solo Black - a reflection on the violence and emancipation of Blackness in today's world. Black is narrated through street dance styles of the African continent and its diaspora in Spain, such as Coupé-Décalé, Ndomboló, Afrohouse and Krump.
A partnership between JOMBA! and Valencia-based Taiat Dance Company has resulted in a collaboration with Durban dancer Zinhle Nzama, and Spanish dancer Lara Misó. Choreographers Meritxell Barberá and Inma García have created a work around the shared experience of two cities (Durban and Valencia) surviving floods called Flood.
Soweto born Asanda Ruda presents a double-bill that speaks to her on-going artistic exploration of Afro-contemporary dance, and a deeply African sense of spiritual self-healing. Her programme includes her acclaimed solo Kemet (Black Lands), which earned her a residency at Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, and embodies her pursuit of individuality and spiritual enlightenment through the transformative power of dance.
JOMBA!'s partnership with the Market Theatre features Greg Homann and Sunnyboy Mandla Motau's collaboration Father & I, a warm and nuanced portrayal of South African fatherhood.
Réunion dancer/choreographer Didier Boutian, whose roots are in hip-hop, presents his new solo Kanyar which offers a deep critical dive into a contemporary world of fanaticism and self-glorification, while Chinese German choreographer Hannah Ma returns to collaborate with Durban's Flatfoot Dance Company in a revision of an earlier work Ama – Once I was, then I wasn't. Rooted in ritual and myth, Ama interrogates the archetype of the Mother: as life-giver, as protector, and as boundary.
The festival continues its screen dance competition platform Digital Open Horizons featuring two feature films Wondarland by Artist in Residence Matthieu Nieto and Ugandan Jospeh Tebandeke's Amazina Mbuyaga. It also includes talks with choreographers and dancers after some live performances at the Sneddon Theatre, the annual Forging Futures dialogue and a series of free workshops and masterclasses.
For more information and to see the full programme go to: https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za/. Tickets are R85 and R65 or R390 for a full festival pass to see everything. Booking via Webtickets.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
Open Chats Podcast faces backlash over racial comments
The hosts of Open Chats Podcast are facing backlash after a clip from a recent episode went viral for offensive content. In the clip, hosts Mthokozisi, Lefa, Busiswa, and Sonwabile are heard making disturbing remarks about members of the coloured community. Social media erupted in anger following the recent remarks made by the Open Chats Podcast hosts. Many users labelled the comments as offensive, racist, and highly disrespectful toward a significant community in South Africa. The now-deleted viral episode features several wild claims, including derogatory generalisations about coloured families and their personal relationships. One of the hosts claimed that 'Apparently Coloureds chow (have sex with) each other,' sparking immediate backlash across platforms. Another co-host responded, 'I do believe that because Coloureds are crazy.' They continued to co-sign each other, suggesting that coloured people are mentally unstable. The episode has angered many online, with some demanding an apology and others calling for the podcast's immediate removal from all platforms. @LeratoPillayZA wrote, 'I stand with Gayton on the Open Chats issue. If Blacks are offensive towards Indians, coloureds or whites: THEY SHOULD ACCOUNT. We can't tolerate Racism from any group. They have to apologise and own up to their wrongdoing.' @enzosabela wrote, 'People have been complaining about the Open Chats podcast for ages, and now they're getting heat for the things they say. They don't discuss matters of substance; it's all sex, groove and nonsense.' @IMatterthereal wrote, 'It was just a matter of time, and I believe that we all saw this coming. Open Chats isn't a podcast bro . It is just a gossip-meeting platform, they get together to gossip, insult and degrade people. All in the name of 'we are open chats and we are controversial. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THEIR CONDUCT? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
From fame to farming: 7 SA celebs who found new lives
From snake dancing to preaching the gospel and farming cows, here are some South African celebrities who've swapped out fame. Here today, gone tomorrow. But it's not always the case for some Mzansi stars who let go of some of the glitter and glam to segue into something other than celebrity, VIP access passes and adoring fans. Others, like Glenda Kemp, became famous because they swapped out careers, while some turned to the Lord for a second season in their careers. Prince Kaybee swapped the decks for hauling and boardrooms Known for hits like Charlotte and a bit of controversy, Prince Kaybee didn't stop at celebrity muso. He launched Milani, a boutique wine label named after his son. Only 7 000 bottles of this wine make it into the world each year. He also owns a fleet of trucks and has dabbled in short-term insurance, with operations in three African countries. And then there's his property hustle with residential flats in Bloemfontein. Kenny Kunene – Sushi king to politician to startup Kenny Kunene will always be known the guy who ate sushi off naked models. It made him a celebrity, though it's not something you live down easily. But before that, he was behind bars for a Ponzi scheme. These days, he's gone from bad boy to businessman to politician. Kunene now serves as Deputy President of the Patriotic Alliance and a member of the Johannesburg City Council. He's also been spotted giving motivational talks and backed Yookoo Ride, a local alternative to Uber. Glenda Kemp was a teacher, until she turned snake charmer In the bad old days when Playboy was banned and strippers were dubbed from the devil, former teacher Glenda Kemp secured her spot in the history books and, in many ways, sparked the slow burn of South Africa's own anti-fuddy-duddy sexual revolution. She snake-danced with pythons in the 70s and quickly became notorious for it. Her life later inspired a movie called Snake Dancer. Also Read: Gen Z is not okay, the internet is making it worse Mr Selwyn during the Sportscene 2022 Put Me On Finale at Sportscene Sandton on 13 October 2022 in Sandton. Picture: Gallo Images/Oupa Bopape Mr Selwyn rapped all way to Jesus Once a rapper and celebrity with tunes that set dance floors on fire, Mr Selwyn, now formally with last name Ngwenya, turned to Jesus and not to a record label. He is now an apostolic pastor. Andile Jali moos beyond the goalpost When footballers call it full time on celebrity sportsmanship, many never leave glam behind completely. Some might open a sports bar or perhaps get a seat on SuperSport or a gig broadcasting elsewhere. Andile Jali, former Sundowns and Pirates midfielder, swapped celebrity for a quieter life and now spends his time farming cattle in Gqeberha. Sizwe Mchunu ditched the decks for decking Sizwe did exactly what Jali did and swapped his decks for decking and ditched IT for something a bit more organic. Today, he's growing onions, chillies, cabbage and beetroot on leased land in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. He has also developed and markets a range of chilli sauces. Frans Cronje hit a six with Christian films Former cricketer Frans Cronje, brother of Hansie, swapped wickets and fame for the big screen. He now produces Christian-themed films. Hansie, based on his late brother's scandal and subsequent redemption, was one of his first projects. Now Read: 7 reasons Gen Zs choose friends with benefits
IOL News
8 hours ago
- IOL News
An international feast of dance
Dancer Zinhle Nzama in the Flatfoot Dance Company's Bodies of Water this year. Nzama will team with Spanish dancer Lara Miso in Flood. Image: Val Adamson The JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience promises an explosion of world-class contemporary dance, bringing together dancers from South Africa, Spain, France, Réunion, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Germany and Luxembourg. Hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Centre for Creative Arts, the festival runs from August 26 August to September 7 in Durban. This year's festival theme is 'moving border/lands' as artists battle with and navigate the current socio- and geo-politics of border/lands. Curator and artist director, Dr Lliane Loots says, 'We have a series of artistic encounters that we feel question ideas of border crossings, and have invited dance works that ask us to re-look at borders (real and imagined) which we are either seeking to cross or to renegotiate. We want to honour dance makers who bring beauty, humour, pathos, and politics to our stages and hearts.' South African dance-maker Sbonakaliso Ndaba is this year's JOMBA! Legacy Artist, for her innovative choreographic work that spans over three decades. She will present In Search of Our Humanity, a new work that takes the audience on an emotional journey through South Africa's evolution. From the ancient, free-roaming Khoi and San ancestors, to the struggle for unity, it showcases the nation's growth and defiance. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In Search of our Humanity by JOMBZ Legacy Artist Sbonakaliso Ndaba. Image: Marco de Beer In partnership with the Embassy of Spain, JOMBA! offers a special Spanish focus and showcases two contemporary Spanish dance works that celebrate a cultural connection between Spain and South Africa. Spanish and Ivory Coast dance-maker Oulouy presents his award-wining solo Black - a reflection on the violence and emancipation of Blackness in today's world. Black is narrated through street dance styles of the African continent and its diaspora in Spain, such as Coupé-Décalé, Ndomboló, Afrohouse and Krump. A partnership between JOMBA! and Valencia-based Taiat Dance Company has resulted in a collaboration with Durban dancer Zinhle Nzama, and Spanish dancer Lara Misó. Choreographers Meritxell Barberá and Inma García have created a work around the shared experience of two cities (Durban and Valencia) surviving floods called Flood. Soweto born Asanda Ruda presents a double-bill that speaks to her on-going artistic exploration of Afro-contemporary dance, and a deeply African sense of spiritual self-healing. Her programme includes her acclaimed solo Kemet (Black Lands), which earned her a residency at Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, and embodies her pursuit of individuality and spiritual enlightenment through the transformative power of dance. JOMBA!'s partnership with the Market Theatre features Greg Homann and Sunnyboy Mandla Motau's collaboration Father & I, a warm and nuanced portrayal of South African fatherhood. Réunion dancer/choreographer Didier Boutian, whose roots are in hip-hop, presents his new solo Kanyar which offers a deep critical dive into a contemporary world of fanaticism and self-glorification, while Chinese German choreographer Hannah Ma returns to collaborate with Durban's Flatfoot Dance Company in a revision of an earlier work Ama – Once I was, then I wasn't. Rooted in ritual and myth, Ama interrogates the archetype of the Mother: as life-giver, as protector, and as boundary. The festival continues its screen dance competition platform Digital Open Horizons featuring two feature films Wondarland by Artist in Residence Matthieu Nieto and Ugandan Jospeh Tebandeke's Amazina Mbuyaga. It also includes talks with choreographers and dancers after some live performances at the Sneddon Theatre, the annual Forging Futures dialogue and a series of free workshops and masterclasses. For more information and to see the full programme go to: Tickets are R85 and R65 or R390 for a full festival pass to see everything. Booking via Webtickets.
