A scene from the Mzansi ballet company’s ‘The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe Ballet’. (Photo: Ken Jerrard)
An impressive collection of African and Asian ballet dancers can be seen at the State Theater in Pretoria from 26 to 30 April when the South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) in collaboration with the Mzansi Ballet Company The Gold Rhino Ballet offer.
On the opening night, Wouter Kellerman, double Grammy-awarded flutist, producer and composer, is also on stage himself to perform three of his compositions.
“It is wonderful to perform again in the State Theater with a full-length production, which involves ballet, opera and singing, after so many years. We are endlessly excited to show it to audiences,” says Dirk Badenhorst, CEO of Saibc.
Dirk experiences for the first time in a very long time that it is easy for him to motivate why he stays in South Africa: To play a role in building up the country and to instill a sense of hope in South Africans .
“When I tell people overseas what we are doing in South Africa, I can literally see how they gain more hope for our country. This is also what we need for our own people: to have a positive expectation for the future.”
Wouter Kellerman in the Mzansi ballet company’s presentation of ‘The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe Ballet’. (Photo: Ken Jerrard)
Saibc was originally set up with the aim of achieving international exposure for local and foreign dancers and also to expose directors of local and foreign companies to new talent.
The Gold Rhino Ballet is composed of captivating and innovative ballet and dance narration and choreography, dedicated musical compositions and spectacular costume, jewelery and set designs.
The production team consists of Mark Cheyne (musical arranger, director and composer), Mpho Molikeng (co-composer and indigenous music specialist), SJ Khosa, dr. Cara Stacey and Matthijs van Dijk (co-composers), Andrew Botha (decor coordination and design) and David Tlale (costume).
The ballet brings together different dancers from South Africa, Cuba, China and South Korea and audiences can also look forward to a mixture of two ballet styles.
“The choreography of Angela Revie, Mpho Molikeng and Mdu Nhlapo, is a wonderful way to celebrate classical ballet, but also to launch the concept of afro-ballet. In this way we celebrate classical and African ballet at the same time.
“It is also the celebration of the fact that one does not have to choose between one or the other. In the end, we get the mixing right in a meaningful and beautiful way and this is actually the reason for the existence of this ballet. I believe it will make a big contribution to the success of the production,” says Dirk.
- The Gold Rhino Ballet will be presented from 26 to 30 April at the State Theater in Pretoria. Ticket prices vary between R150 and R250, and this is in addition Webtickets available.
A scene from the Mzansi ballet company’s ‘The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe Ballet’. (Photo: Ken Jerrard)
Enter like this
Three Rhewal readers have the chance to each win a double ticket to the opening night of The Gold Rhino Ballet which will be presented on 26 April at 20:00 at the State Theater in Pretoria. All you have to do is fill in your details in the competition form at the bottom of this article.
The closing date for the competition is 16 April about 23:45.
Terms and conditions
- The competition closes Sunday 16 April about 23:45.
- Winners will be chosen at random.
- Participants must be over 18 years of age.
- The judges’ decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered into.
- The draw will take place immediately after the closing date, after which Rhewal will contact the winner.
- Once all winners have responded, their names will be announced on social media and on Rhewal.
- The prizes cannot be exchanged for cash.
- Winners are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements.
- Participants must live in South Africa.
