(Above: Tammy Ballantyne, Mfundiseni Ndwalane, Jabu
Siphika and Hannah Ma. Pic Val Adamson)
Digital and Live
Open Horizons Pick of the Platform Awards
Dance-makers Brenda “BreeH” Cele (Pietermaritzburg), and Mfundiseni Ndwalane (Durban) were awarded the JOMBA! Pick of the Platform for their works in the Digital Open Horizons and Live Open Horizons, respectively this week.
Digital Open Horizons is a curated platform of screen dance films, and the Live Open Horizons platform is an opportunity for choreographers to showcase their works in a professionally-supported stage presentation at the Festival. These are both presented as JOMBA!’s commitment to developing and growing contemporary dance in Durban and South Africa.
This year’s Digital Open Horizons jury included Pak Ndjamena, a multifaceted artist based in Maputo (Mozambique); Ivan Barros, an award-winning Mozambican photographer and video-maker; Clare Craighead, a Drama and Performance Studies lecturer at DUT, a dance writer and academic; and Thobile Maphanga, a Durban-based dancer, dance writer and researcher interested in the histories and narratives of Black women.
Brenda “BreeH” Cele was awarded the JOMBA! Digital Open Horizons Pick of the Platform for her striking dance film, Simunye cited by the jury as a compelling docu-dance film which impressed them with its powerful integration of dance, science, storytelling and activism. Tackling the very urgent issue of climate change through a South African lens, it presents a strong conceptual and technical vision which is informative and emotionally resonant.
This year's JOMBA! Live Open Horizons offered two solo performances and two group works. Jury members were Clare Craighead, (non-voting Chair), Jabu Siphika, dancer and choreographer and a member of FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY, Tammy Ballantyne, dance writer and journalist, and Hannah Ma, choreographer, and founder of hannahmadance.
Speaking at the awards after the performances, Tammy Ballantyne said, “The diversity in themes and content was pleasing, with a good mix of choreographic styles and production elements. We used various criteria to assist in selecting the winner, such as artistic and emotional impact; choreographic innovation; performance quality and relevance and resonance.”
The overall winner of the platform was Sisukaphi?, choreographed by Mfundiseni Ndwalane. Drawing on his own compositions and choreography during his research for his MA at UKZN, the work explores storytelling elements alongside a fusion of African popular music and traditional elements such as amaZulu dance. The jury praised Ndwalane for his cohesive vision in bringing together live music and singing, projections and scenic elements which brought depth to the theme and choreography. “His invitation to the audience to consider one's ancestry as a collective was a powerful visual and aural moment of using the body as a memory tool. His ensemble was focused, polished and committed.”
The jury commended Thandeka Maqebula on the solo The Silent Voice, performed by Anele Makanya. They commented on Makanya's powerful stage presence and strong physicality. There is opportunity for Maqebula to develop her choreographic voice which displays impressive conviction and focus.
“Tegan Peacock's Burst my Bubble employed humour and a sense of whimsy, particularly with her choice of music. Her use of brightly-coloured balloons as metaphors for hopes and dreams that are sometimes popped, shows a unique sense of intuitive timing and even clowning.”
“The International School of Performing Arts (ISPA) students shone in a large ensemble work titled Echoes of Greatness, choreographed by Gabriel Youngstar. The work explored rhythmical and often challenging choreography with elements of ritual. Some excellent partnering and strong lifts showed solid technique and use of trust exercises. The group was beautifully costumed and well-lit.”
“It is heartening to see the range of work being offered by young dance makers and a real engagement with physical storytelling on many levels,” said Ballantyne on behalf of the jury.
JOMBA! continues until Sunday September 7, 2025, with a range of performances, workshops and talks. For more information and to see the full programme, go to: https://jomba.ukzn.ac.za/
Tickets R85 and R65 (concessions and groups). Booking via WebTickets.
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