This paper seeks to examine contemporary dance in South Africa as a dynamic and multifaceted art form with a particular focus on the pioneering work of Mamela Nyamza. As a Black South African Xhosa, queer woman, and dance artist, Nyamza has leveraged her personal experiences to challenge and disrupt the entrenched structures of traditional dance in South Africa. By delving into the themes and concepts embedded in her work, particularly her seminal piece “Hatched Ensemble”, this study aims to explain how Nyamza’s innovative practices have defied the status quo and contributed to the evolution of contemporary dance in the region.
Kristi-Leigh Gresse is a South African dancer and choreographer known for her transformative impact on the arts. She has a BA Honours in Drama & Performance Studies from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Since assuming the role of Director & Co-Founder of ArtSource031 PTY LTD in 2019, Kristi-Leigh has spearheaded numerous productions on both national and international stages. The recipient of accolades such as the Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance 2021 award (South Africa), Kristi-Leigh’s creative vision has garnered widespread acclaim. Her artistic ethos transcends mere performance; it serves as a catalyst for introspection and dialogue, confronting societal paradigms and illuminating the intricacies of the human experience. She offers an unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring the nuances of movement and expression.
Fabrice Mazliah is a choreographer and performer / dancer based in Frankfurt and Basel (Switzerland). He has initiated long-term research into embodied knowledge and the heritage inscribed into practitioners of the field. He is interested in renegotiating the relationship between our environments, its matter, and human bodies. Beyond others companies, he has worked from 1997 until 2015 with the Frankfurt Ballet / the Forsythe Company, both directed by William Forsythe. Over the past years, he has developed a large body of national and international works, either created alone and/or in collaboration with other artists and collectives. He also worked with numerous places. Fabrice was artist associate to DeSingel in Antwerp, part of the HOOD collective with a fellowship for two years at Pact Zollverein/Essen, is artist in residence at the Künstlerhaus Mousonturm in Frankfurt, he currently works at Theater Basel and with COME IN TENT in Hamburg.