(Vusi Makanya is the founder and Artistic
Director of the KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre (KMSDT) in Durban, KZN)
Celebrating 22 Years
of KMSDT's Artistic Legacy. • Community • Dance • Young Talent • Conversation
This October, KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre (KMSDT) invites
schools, families, artists, businesses, community organisations and members of
the public to experience THEATRE WEEK 2026 — a celebration of young people,
community, creativity and the powerful role of the arts in shaping the future.
Taking place from October 19–24, 2026, Theatre Week brings together young dancers and emerging artists from Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, Newlands and Quarry Heights, alongside KMSDT alumni, outreach groups Kasi Style and IJalamba Performing Arts Academy, professional artists, educators and community partners.
Inspired by the legacy of youth uprising in South Africa, this year's programme celebrates the power of young people to use creativity, culture, movement and collective action to express their experiences and imagine a better future.
Under the banner of 50 Years of Youth Uprising, Theatre Week connects the history of youth activism with today's generation of young artists, recognising their creativity, resilience, leadership and potential to contribute to stronger communities.
A WEEK WHERE YOUNG
PEOPLE TAKE THE STAGE
For more than two
decades, KMSDT has provided children and young people with opportunities to
discover dance, build confidence, develop discipline and experience the arts as
a pathway to personal growth and community development.
Founded in 2004, KMSDT continues to nurture young talent through dance education, performance, artistic exchange, school outreach and community engagement.
Theatre Week 2026 continues this 22-year artistic legacy.
The six-day programme combines creative development, school workshops and performances, professional dance training, inclusive community dialogue and a public closing celebration. Young people will have opportunities not only to perform, but also to learn from experienced practitioners, collaborate with their peers and be recognised for their artistic growth.
THEATRE WEEK 2026: OFFICIAL PROGRAMME
Monday, October 19
Creative Development
and Facilitators’ Planning Day
Venue: KMSDT Studio,
KwaMashu Central Station
Time: 10h00 – 12h00
Participants: KMSDT
management, facilitators and participating artists
Tuesday, October 20
Dance Workshop and
Artistic Exchange
Venue: Steel Gym,
KwaMashu
Time: 10h00 –12h00
Participants:
Dancers and facilitators
Wednesday, October 21
School Workshop and
Performance — Inanda Seminary
Venue: ISSA Hall,
Inanda Seminary
Workshop: 12h00
Performance: 17h00
Audience: Inanda
Seminary learners and invited school representatives
Thursday, October 22
LET’S TALK
INCLUSION: Dance For Every Body
Venue: Ezandawonye
Disability Empowerment Organisation / Old Age Home
Format: Community
dialogue
Attendance: By
invitation
LET’S TALK INCLUSION
is a conversation about access, dignity, belonging and the possibilities of
dance for all.
Friday, October 23
School Performance —
Quarry Heights Primary School
Performance: 13h00
Performance venue:
Quarry Heights Primary School
Audience: Learners,
teachers and the school community
The visit also reinforces
KMSDT's ongoing commitment to school-based arts education and youth
development.
Saturday, October 24
THEATRE WEEK 2026 —
PUBLIC GRAND FINALE
Venue: Steel Gym,
KwaMashu
Programme starts: 14h00
Grand Finale
performance: 14h00
Admission: R50
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Come and experience
KwaMashu's young talent on stage — live, up close and in their own community.
WHY SCHOOLS SHOULD BE PART OF THE KMSDT JOURNEY
KMSDT believes that
arts education is an important part of developing confidence, discipline, creativity,
communication and leadership in young people. Theatre Week offers learners an
opportunity to:
• Experience dance and theatre through
live performances and workshops.
• See young people from their own
communities represented on stage.
• Learn from experienced dancers,
artists and choreographers.
• Develop confidence through creative
participation and performance.
• Connect with other schools, young
artists and community organisations.
• Discover pathways into dance, theatre
and the wider creative economy.
• Celebrate South African heritage,
youth creativity and community through the arts.
Schools interested
in future KMSDT programmes, workshops, outreach initiatives or partnerships are
encouraged to connect with the organisation.
WHY THE PUBLIC SHOULD COME
Come to support the next generation of
Durban artists.
Come to see what young people can
achieve when they are given opportunities, guidance and a stage.
Come to celebrate the legacy of youth
uprising and the continuing power of young voices, creativity and community.
Come to take part in a conversation
about inclusion and the role of dance in making our communities more connected.
Most importantly, come and support
KMSDT's 22-year artistic legacy and the young artists carrying it forward.
ADMISSION AND
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
School performances:
School-based and invitation arrangements apply.
Grand Finale —
Saturday, October 24: R50 community admission.
KMSDT welcomes
community support to help cover the practical costs of providing meaningful
artistic opportunities for young people, particularly transport, meals,
costumes and performance resources.
SPONSOR A YOUNG
ARTIST
Every contribution
can help remove a barrier to participation.
• R50 — Contribute towards transport.
• R100 — Contribute towards a meal.
• R200 — Contribute towards costume
needs.
• R500 — Contribute towards the
combined support needs of a young artist.
These are suggested
contribution levels towards project costs, not guaranteed individual cost
allocations. Every donation helps KMSDT work towards ensuring that young
artists can participate, perform and be recognised.
Businesses, alumni,
parents and organisations can also support Theatre Week through in-kind
contributions, including transport, food, costumes, technical equipment, venue
support, printing, photography, videography and professional services.
KMSDT welcomes partnerships that invest in young people, community arts and the future of South Africa's creative economy.
COME MOVE WITH US
Theatre Week 2026 is
not simply about watching a performance.
It is about creating opportunities.
It is about giving young people a
voice.
It is about building confidence through
creativity.
It is about making dance more inclusive
and bringing schools and communities together.
It is about recognising the power of
young people to shape their own futures.
And it is about ensuring that the next
generation of dancers, actors, educators and creative leaders has somewhere to
begin.
KMSDT THEATRE WEEK 2026
October 19 to 24, 2026
Come. Watch. Learn.
Support. Celebrate.
MEDIA, SCHOOL AND
PUBLIC ENQUIRIES
KwaMashu School of
Dance Theatre (KMSDT)
NPO Registration
No.: 079-289
PBO No.: 9079657194
Telephone: 067 864
2283
Email: vusi.kmsdt@gmail.com
Facebook: KwaMashu School
of Dance Theatre
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