JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience
JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience is South Africa’s longest-running and most celebrated contemporary dance festival. Hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts, the festival is based in Durban and attracts top choreographers, dancers, scholars, and audiences from across Africa and the world. Renowned for its bold programming and global partnerships, JOMBA! is a leading platform for African contemporary dance, promoting connection, collaboration, and transformation through the power of movement.
26 August - 13 September 2025
2025 Legacy Artist
Spanish Focus
JOMBA! is delighted to be partnering with the Embassy of Spain (South Africa) to showcase two unique contemporary Spanish dance offerings that celebrate a beautiful cultural connection between Spain and (South) Africa.
Digital JOMBA!
JOMBA! Female Forward Residency
JOMBA! 2025 is proud to launch its inaugural JOMBA! FEMALE FORWARD RESIDENCY, dedicated to supporting the development of young women in dance in KwaZulu-Natal. In response to the noticeable decline in the number of professional female dancers-particularly in Durban-this residency aims to address the need for more focused support and training.
The programme offers five places to female-identifying dancers aged 18 to 30 who have some prior dance training and are ready to advance their skills and pursue professional careers. Led by Thobile Maphanga (administration and programming) and Gaby Saranouffi (dance skills development), the residency focuses on technical training, professional development, and building a strong work ethic. Participants will also have full access to the festival programme and opportunities to engage with visiting companies and choreographers. Selection was based on a competitive application and audition process
JOMBA! @ The Market Theatre
10 - 13 SEPTEMBER 2025
TO CELEBRATE our third year of partnership, JOMBA! is delighted to continue to work with the Market Theatre to collaborate in sharing a smaller and carefully curated ‘JOMBA! @ THE MARKET’ following the Durban festival. Four selected local and international dance companies will travel to Johannesburg’s Market Theatre to feature in a week-long celebration of some of the world’s most profound and provoking dance makers and dance companies. Gauteng and The Market Theatre audiences will have an opportunity to revel in the performance excellence of this curated contemporary dance platform.
FREE Workshops at JOMBA!
Eight workshops are available FREE of charge to dancers and dance-makers, and associated arts practitioners at this year’s JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience which takes place from 26 August and 7 September 2025 in Durban.
Five dance-focussed workshops will be hosted at the Drama and Performance Studies Department (Dance Studio), UKZN Howard College Campus, and are open to dancers 16 years and older.
Festival Offerings
Beyond Performances
JOMBA! goes beyond the stage to offer a rich programme of free workshops, residencies, and critical dialogues. These activities create space for learning, collaboration, and deeper engagement with contemporary dance.
Led by local and international artists, the workshops provide access to training and skill development for dancers at all levels. Residency opportunities support the creation of new work and foster cross-cultural exchange.
The online JOMBA! Masihambisane Dialogues offer a platform for Southern-based dance scholarship, encouraging conversations around identity, politics, and performance. These offerings reflect JOMBA!’s commitment to inclusivity, education, and the growth of dance as a socially relevant art form.
The Curators
JOMBA! is curated by Dr Lliane Loots, founding Artistic Director, whose vision and leadership over 26 years have shaped the festival into a globally respected platform for contemporary dance. Her work centers artistic excellence, social justice, and human dignity. She is supported by Thobile Maphanga, Assistant Curator and Project Manager, whose dedication to Southern cultural narratives and community engagement keeps the festival connected and relevant.
Dr Lliane Loots
Thobile Maphanga
2022 JOMBA! Khuluma Digital
Lifetime Achievement Award for Durban Publicist, Sharlene Versfeld.
JOMBA! Digital and Live Open Horizons Pick of the Platform Awards
JOMBA! Bonus events Talks, Forging Futures Panel & Khuluma Blog
FREE Workshops at JOMBA!
Blackness and Floods – Choreographies of Survival in SPANISH FOCUS @JOMBA!
