Action in Autism Skills Transference Workshop

Most people with autism struggle with verbal and non-verbal communication, sensory processing difficulties, social interaction and asserting themselves in a fast-paced, highly interactive and social world. Action in Autism, a non-profit organisation currently based in Sydenham, will address these difficulties through a highly-intensive 2-day workshop for parents, professionals and those who interact regularly with people with autism. These workshops offer skills and techniques to support a person with communication, social interaction, and sensory difficulties. When employed by those who interact with autistic people on a daily basis, these supports help enormously to ease the stress and anxiety of social interaction and participation, and increase the likelihood that a person with autism will be encouraged to tackle potentially overwhelming social situations more easily.

Hosted bi-annually by a fabulous team of six professionals, a parent and a young person with autism, the workshop is held over two days and includes both theoretical and practical components, as well as opportunities for networking. The team of professionals comprises of a clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, two speech therapists and a specialist in augmentative and alternative communication systems, an occupational therapist,and an educator.

All parents and professionals are invited to join Action in Autism’s next Skills Transference Workshop on Friday 13 October and Saturday 14 October, to be held at the Moth Hall, King Dinuzulu Hospital in Durban. 

The workshop cost of R850 per person and covers course materials, refreshments and meals. Please contact the Action in Autism office on 031 207 4858 or send an email to info@actioninautism.org.za for a registration form. Places are limited to 40 people per workshop.

For more information about Action in Autism, the Skills Transference Workshops, or other services and support offered by the organisation, call 031 207 4858 or email info@actioninautism.org.za.

Inxeba - The Wound - at KZNSA October 7

'INXEBA'('THE WOUND') ENCORE AS DGLFF 2017 RESUMES

Having now fulfilled the technical requirements of the Film & Publications Board (FPB) of South Africa, the now fully registered Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (DGLFF) has resumed its screening programme across the city. The shock postponement wrought by the FBS's last minute engagement with the DGLFF days prior to the official opening 25 August was very difficult for the team.

"We were geared for our best Festival yet, and the news that FPB needed us to wait 30 days whilst they checked our film selection, with only something like 3 days to spare, was devastating on planning, and the momentum we'd built up" laments festival director Jason Fiddler. "Of course I have to respect where the FPB is coming from, and I share their commitment to protecting minors from harmful material. The DGLFF's focus has been on mature and LGBTIQ-relevant content so I was confident there."

Fortunately for the Opening Night on 25 August, 'INXEBA' ('The Wound'), was already classified. "The amaXhosa king had only the week previously called for this film to be shut down. Unfortunately for that call, we were able to screen it, as we were licensed without any problems and of course, as an already 16 SL classified film, 'INXEBA' could proceed. The rest of the programme, or course, could not" reflects Fiddler, with a hint of irony.

The critically acclaimed and award winning 'INXEBA' stars musician and novelist Nakhane Touré as Xolani, a lonely factory worker who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. The film has now been officially selected as South Africa's entry into the foreign language section of the Academy Awards in 2018, a decision that has continued to stir calls from traditionalists for its effective banning.

"Having discussed this over with the film's producers and distributors, and in spite of the fact we'd already screened twice on opening weekend a month ago, we felt that the circumstances warranted another opportunity for Durban's LGBTIQ community to see the film until its commercial release in February next year" says Fiddler.

'INXEBA' ('THE WOUND') , which was a project of the Durban FilmMart in 2014, will have an encore screening this Saturday 7 October at 7pm at the KZNSA gallery in Glenwood, Durban, whilst a daytime community screening is being co-ordinated off the main programme - this will be announced on the festival Facebook page, Twitter feed and the festival website.

The revised festival programme is already under way and continues to Wednesday 11 October 2017. "I'm very pleased that the FPB had no issues with our original selection of 47 films, albeit that the Danish documentary Miss Rosewood was classified 18 SN" says Fiddler. "There are some powerful documentaries, an extraordinary selection of short films and entertaining feature films await"

Included in the remaining programme is the US musical-romantic drama 'SOMETHING LIKE SUMMER'. The great news is that an American benefactor bought out a whole lot of tickets to give away to audiences, so the first 25 arriving on Friday 6 October get theirs for free. The film will now also be up for a free daytime community screening, thanks to this sponsor's support! Details will follow as with 'INXEBA's community screening. This film adaptation of the novel by Lambda Literary Award-winning novelist Jay Bell, tells the story of two boys whose secret relationship in high school appears to be doomed, only for them to encounter one another years later as friends and even enemies. It stars Davi Santos (Power Rangers), Ben Baur (Hunting Season, #Adulting) singer-actress Ajiona Alexus (Fox TV's Empire), and introduces Grant Davis, who performs six of the seven songs in the film; Ajiona performs the seventh as a solo.

Argentinean drama 'BROMANCE' screens Thursday 4 October at Tina's Hotel in Kloof at 8pm, and again Tuesday 10 October at the KZNSA at 7pm. It tells the story of three 20 year olds who make a trip looking to reconnect, to regain their teen-hood friendship. But time has changed them and the intrusion of a girl will take them to the limit and will test their desires up to the breaking point of all the ties that binds them.

Monday 9 October brings about the now annual tradition at DGLFF of francophone cinema, "French Nite" at Alliance Francaise Durban in Morningside, with a selection of documentary and narrative films. In 'EVEN LOVERS GET THE BLUES' Ana is sleeping with Hugo, Dalhia with Graciano, Léo with Louis, and Arthur with everyone. Parties and love affairs lead to heart searching, deep desires and the craving to live life to the full. It is a portrait of the love and sexual lives of disenchanted and passionate young people.

In continuing its long standing partnership with the Durban Lesbian & Gay Community & Health Centre, DGLFF is arranging free daytime community screenings of short film packages at 3pm, at the Centre in Morningside, on Friday 6, and Monday 9 through Wednesday 11 October. Seating is very limited and on a first-come, first-seated basis. The Centre offers clinic services and HIV testing as well as outreach and advocacy work.

A feast of great documentaries start at 2pm on Saturday 7 October with 'Carlos Jáuregui, The Unforgettable Fag', a feature length film about Carlos Jauregui, gay rights activist, friend, lover, fighter, an icon, and inspiration for the masses. He was the first gay to come out on the cover of a magazine in the ‘80s. His conviction and courage changed the lives of Argentine LGBT community and history of a country and its laws. He led the first Pride March in Argentina unifying the LGBTIQ movement. He laid the foundations of dialogue and the way to anti-discrimination towards the homosexual community.

That is followed at 4:30pm by a pair of South African documentaries speaking to the transgender experience: 'LOCKED IN' looks at being trans and Muslim, coupled with how traditional Xhosa communities see LGBTIQ people, whilst 'THE STORY OF ZIGGY' is a fascinating short documentary that briefly outlines the life of a woman in mid-transition to becoming a man, exploring the challenges of black South African gender identity in a complex youth society.

The world premiere of South African gay horror short film 'SHADOW' takes place Saturday 7 October at 6pm, just before 'INXEBA' at 7.  Our closing night film is the extraordinary Zulu lesbian short film 'SINA NOMAKOTSHANA' ('DANCE WITH THE MAIDENS') at 7pm on Wednesday 11 October. It tells the story of a people-pleasing girl from a staunchly religious and homophobic family falls in love with her dance partner, and must choose whether to come out of the closet during her traditional Zulu initiation into womanhood, or give up on her lover.

The revised DGLFF programme is available online and all screening information in the printed souvenir guide books remains relevant (apart from dates and times). Information and PDF download can be found at the Festival website www.dglff.org.za

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Jason Fiddler

Festival Director

Mobile: +27(0)78 189 5430|  Telephone: +27(0)31 811 0959|  Facsimile: +27(0)86 545 9839

Skype: jason.fiddler1| Email: jason@dglff.org.za  | Website: www.dglff.org.za 

FB Page: www.facebook.com/DGLFF | Twitter + Instagram: @DbnGayFilmFest

Postal Address: P.O. Box 51190, Musgrave Road, 4062, South Africa

South Africa's official selection to the 90th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) is INXEBA/ The Wound!

This is not a press release we generated - but we so want to share this - the 2014 Durban FilmMart project - is SA’s official entry for the 90th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) in Foreign Language Film category.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture is proud to announce that the feature film, INXEBA/The Wound has been selected as South Africa's official entry for the 90th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) in Foreign Language Film category.

The NFVF assembled a South African Academy Awards Selection Committee, comprising of professionals from the various fields of the film making value chain. The committee sat over three days to view the 6 films submitted and ultimately selected INXEBA.

INXEBA tells the story of Xolani, a lonely factory worker, who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. When a defiant initiate from the city discovers his best kept secret, Xolani’s entire existence begins to unravel.

The selection committee was looking for an authentic South Africa story with a predominantly non-English dialogue. The committee applauded the film as master piece in terms of script, directing and performances that are believable and captivating. The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, the most difficult festival to get into, and has been sold to 30 territories to date which is evidence of its global appeal.

"Congratulations to the creators of INXEBA. It is important for the content we produce to disrupt and propel audiences to introspect and the film’s focus on important aspects of our culture and traditions, while addressing topical issues of identity, masculinity and sexuality does just that. And I hope that we as South Africans will engage constructively around these issues.” said Peter Kwele, NFVF Head of Marketing and Communications.

The NFVF and the South African Academy Awards Selection Committee wishes the team behind the film best of luck.

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Sharlene Versfeld

Versfeld & Associates

Local Film - Deep end wraps up filming in Durban

After 29 days of filming in Durban, local film production company Arclight, begins the next stage of their journey with the post-production on their surf-flick Deep End in the in the City.

 Filmed in Durban on a fairly healthy budget of R4 million, with a completely local crew, Deep End is funded by the DTI and KZN Film Commission with production house investment as well.

 The film is directed by well-known award-winning director, Eubulus Timothy who is chairperson of the Durban Filmmakers Guild, vice chairperson of Writer’s Guild Of South Africa, and a recipient of the prestigious Harley-Merrill Screenwriting Award (Hollywood). Jacintha Timothy of Arclight Distributors, an established Durban-based film and television production company, is producing the film.

 “Deep End is essentially a coming of age, surf love story,” explains Jacintha. “It’s a warm, exciting, family movie that will resonate across the board with audiences.”

 The film centres around a beautiful 20 year old Indian girl, Sunitha who comes from a traditional Durban family who defies her father, to become a competitive surfer. On the beaches she discovers a whole new world of inter- racial love, ethnic diversity, arranged marriages, conflict and friendship.  Her father’s heart is eventually softened by her skill for the sport and near death experience. And in the end she wins her struggle for self-expression and self-fulfillment in a society that supports conformity, gains her father’s approval and the man of her dreams. 

 The film stars Cape Town based actor Greg Kriek as Cory, the main love interest, and Durban-born, Cape-Town based Carishma Basday as Sunitha. Kriek has over 40 screen acting credits to his name and will soon be seen in the next installment of Universal Studios' Tremors as  "Dutch", in 20th Century Fox's Maize Runner: The Death Cure, Pureflix's Samson as one of the leads "Caleb" and also stars as Tony Sinclair in the upcoming biopic Serengeti Rules from Oscar winning production company Passion Pictures.

 Well-known SA actress Carishma Basday, a presenter on the popular Mela magazine show on SABC3, has many film and commercial credits to her name. Equally at home on stage and screen Casrishma has featured in films 31 Million Reasons (directed by John Barker) and starred in her first leading role as the love interest of famed comedian Riaad Moosa in Material directed by the award-winning Craig Freimond. 

 “We are thrilled that Arclight managed to secure significant funding to be able to film this delightful uniquely Durban story,” said Toni Monty, Head of the Durban Film Office. “As the City’s industry development unit, we are constantly looking at ways in which we can encourage production houses to make use of the City as we offer such a wealth of locations and a myriad settings. Arclight has taken advantage of these, and we look forward to seeing the fruits of their love and labour on the big screen.”

 Speaking on location on Durban Beachfront Jacintha, who also produced the second season of Durban Beach Rescue, says post-production will be done another Durban-based company -  The Other Theatre Company.

 “We have enough local talent to be able to make films in Durban,” enthused Jacintha, “but we need to give people a chance to gain the experience. So it has been fantastic to be able to do this in our home town.”

Issued by Nolwazi Magwaza / Sharlene Versfeld

For the Durban Film Office

Local female film-maker forges ahead in male-dominated arena

After identifying a gap in local film making production process, the eThekwini Municipality’s film industry development unit, the Durban Film Office introduced SCOUT, a location scouting and management programme as part of its overall mandate to encourage more film making in Durban.  One of the 2014 SCOUT participants, Sindisiwe Mngadi, has really taken the opportunity afforded her and is making waves in the industry, not only locally but on a national level too.

 Toni Monty, Head of the DFO explains: “SCOUT is an intensive programme developed to professionally develop local location scouts and expose young and previously disadvantaged filmmakers to the business of location scouting and with the aim that they will eventually move into full location management. We have had two sessions with local filmmakers one in 2014 and another in 2016. Participants took part in a one week theory class and two weeks of practical knowledge programme which also included a formal and accredited NOSA training in Basic fire Awareness, Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health and Health and Environment Representative Training, with professional Locations Manager Neville Botha from Unit Co-Op.”

 Twenty-eight year old, Sindisiwe, who is based on the Berea, worked at local production company Durban Motion Pictures after leaving school, where she gained invaluable experience working on the job and training at the same time.

 The young go-getter started her company, Lopper Media in 2010, with a focus on video production for events and editing. In the last few years she has ventured into film and commercial production services, and is fast developing a name for herself as a reputable service provider with a range of services that include location scouting, location and unit management, as well as security services .

 “The scouting programme was very informative and it opened my eyes to the many opportunities that we have in Durban from a locations point of view and also within the industry as a whole,” she says.

 “The knowledge that I gained from the training helped me so much and made me take my business more seriously,” she enthuses. “After doing the SCOUT programme my business has definitely improved and grown very fast. We have even ventured into location and unit management, and we recently were able to work with major production companies such as Born Free Media, Natives at Large and Mobile Media, and I was also a location and unit manager for a recent Red Bull Commercial that was managed by Mobile Media, here in Durban - the best two days ever,” she says.

Determined to make a real go of this industry, Sindisiwe is currently in Johannesburg where she is hoping to finalise the details for three new short films being shot in Durban. 

 “I am really excited about the opportunities that have come up and I am hoping to grow my business into a major unit management one.”

The 2017 JOMBA! Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award

Well-known KwaZulu-Natal choreographer and dancer Sifiso ‘Magesh’ Ngcobo received the 2017 JOMBA! Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award at the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban last night (Thursday, August 31).

Now in its 7th year, JOMBA! Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award, honours of the memory of Eric Mshengu Shabalala who tragically passed away in 2011; he was a local dancer, choreographer, teacher and one of the founding dancers of the Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre in Durban. In a fitting tribute, the Centre for Creative Arts and the Jomba! Contemporary Dance Experience Dance Festival has set up this annual award to honour some of KwaZulu-Natal’s stalwart dancers and dance teachers.

“The award is given not only in recognition of performance or choreographic excellence, but also more profoundly and more importantly it is given in recognition of dance practitioners who have worked tirelessly to help grow a culture of dance and dance training in Durban – who have supported the growth of dance as an art form at both community and regional level,” said Lliane Loots, Artistic Director of JOMBA! at the award ceremony.

“In selecting recipients, the committee look for those gifted individuals who have gone above and beyond – often without funding – to dedicate themselves to the cultural industry and to put KZN dancers and dance on the national and international map,” she said. “So we honour Sifiso because of his bold initiative, for not sitting back waiting for funding and for hand-outs but for getting up and making a difference by using his skill as a dancer and as an educator.”

Ngcobo, who currently teaches dance and isiZulu at St Nicholas Diocesan School in the Pietermaritzburg, also runs a scholar dance company within the school called “St Nics Dance Company. He was born in Umthwalume, and has a degree in Drama and Performance Studies and an Honours degree in Community Development, from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Before joining the Flatfoot Dance Company in 2003 he performed and toured the world in the celebrated dance show African Footprint.  As one of Flatfoot’s founding members he was instrumental in setting up their now 15 year history of dance education and community engagement.

“This award is given primarily for the work he is doing his own education and community project in Imbali Township at Sukuma Comprehensive School,” explained Lliane Loots. “He works with young school going learners and in dance programme called the Umsunduzi Youth Development Project and uses both drama and dance to address social, economic issues, life orientation as well as community child and gender abuse.”

Past recipients of this prestigious award include Jarryd Watson (2011), Sifiso Khumalo (2012), Byron ‘Bizzo’ Tifflin and Preston ‘Kayzo’ Kyd (2013), Jabu Siphika, Julia Wilson (2014) and Zinhle Nzama, Ntombi Gasa  (2015) and Musa Hlatshwayo (2016)

"I am so excited about this award,” enthused Ngcobo accepting the award. “Credit must go to Jomba, the Centre for Creative Arts, the St Nicholas Dance Company, Umsunduzi Youth Development Project, and of course the Flatfoot Dance Company, for grooming me to be what I am today. I have been doing this kind of work for a very long time and it is good to be finally recognized. We work without funding and support from the government but the passion and fire within us keeps us going because our goal is to make an impact in different communities and give hope to the hopeless through dance. The projects I run in Pietermaritzburg have made a significant impact in the learners' lives and that makes me happy. We are not yet done!" 

For more information about JOMBA! go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za

JOMBA! Pick of the Fringe

Media Release

JOMBA! Pick of the Fringe awarded at 19th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience 

Pietermaritzburg choreographer, JC Zondi received the inaugural “JOMBA! Pick of the Fringe” award last night(August 29) at this year’s Fringe of the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, after a riveting ten-performance programme of highly creative dance work by a variety of choreographers from around South Africa.

Currently reading for his Masters in Drama and Performance Studies at the University Of KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg Campus), 26 year old Zondi’s piece was titled Intimate and was performed by dancers Vuyo Sabelo Ndawonde, Sanele Kenneth Mntumba, Londeka Zondi andJC Zondi and videography by Simphiwe Fiddy Ngcobo. The work, which featured videography combined with live performance, is described by Zondi as “an invitation and exploration into the deep personal space of the dancer(s) intimate bodies and how we look at each other.”

This new “JOMBA! Pick of the Fringe” is given to an innovative choreographer from the Fringe in an endeavour to further encourage choreographers to create new work.

Tuesday night’s panel consisted of Durban-based reviewer Chris Tobo, choreographers Adriaan Luteijn and Nina Funk from INTRODANS (Netherlands) and well-known SA dance critic Adrienne Sichel.

Two other works were given a special mention by the panel - i ‘Yakhal Imbokodo choreographed by Bonwa Mbontsi and Francis Menningke (Bonwa Dance Company – from Pietermaritzburg) and Aslama, choreographed by Yaseen Manuel (from Cape Town).

“For me JOMBA! Fringe has always been a platform where I could showcase the beautiful students/dancers who I work with, and relay some message to the world of art,” said a delighted Zondi. “Receiving the award yesterday was a great surprise and a reminder as to why I do what I do, and an incentive to keep creating.”

Jomba runs until September 3 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, UKZN. For more info go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za

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DGLFF postpones festival to 28 September 2017 whilst 'INXEBA' ('THE WOUND') to screen as planned

Due to last minute technical issues raised by the Film & Publications Board (FPB) about the broader programme, only the South African feature film 'INXEBA' ('THE WOUND') went ahead  as scheduled. As the film has already received a 16 SL classification, it has been allowed exhibition. However the rest of the programme will be postponed to start 28 September 2017, in order to bring films in compliance with FPB regulations.

 "It is with great regret that I have to announce the postponement of the DGLFF programme for a month so as to comply with technical issues raised only this week by the FPB. Previously we had sincerely not been made aware of certain technical requirements, and on learning what was needed, I ensured very quickly that the FPB was provided with what they needed. Unfortunately timing is an issue with the process and this led to a mutual decision that in order for the Festival to be fully in alignment with FPB requirements, we should postpone to achieve this".

 'INXEBA' was screened  on Friday 25 August at the Waterfront Hotel, Point, with an additional screening on Saturday 26 August, and then Thursday 31 August 2017 at 8pm at Tina's Hotel in Kloof. The community screening of the film on Saturday 2 September at 12pm will be in a venue as yet to be confirmed.

 The critically acclaimed and award winning 'INXEBA' stars musician and novelist Nakhane Touré as Xolani, a lonely factory worker who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. Amidst sporadic calls for boycott, and some reports of threats to cast members, Fiddler is pragmatic: "The country is still very naive when it comes to our rights to freedom of expression, of protection against discrimination. The Constitution is there for a very good reason: to work against hegemony, hatred and homophobia. Whilst I'm deeply concerned that the intolerance and aggression displayed by some is very real, I also expect that many detractors haven't actually seen this powerful piece of cinema. We must have the space to express our creativity, artistry and views frankly and without intimidation."

 "The programme will remain largely intact and we simply commence from the end of September" assures Fiddler. The revised DGLFF programme will be available online within the coming week and all screening information relating to 'INXEBA' can found at the Festival website www.dglff.org.za

Flatfoot Dance Company and INTRODANS collaborate with Downs Syndrome Dancers

Durban-based, Flatfoot Dance Company and Adriaan Luteijn from the Netherlands-based  INTRODANS Dance Company, together with four dancers with Downs Syndrome, are blazing a new trail for dance in South Africa, with their performance  of “Cardiac Output” at this year’s 19th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance on Sunday, September 3 at 6pm.

The four young adult dancers with Downs Syndrome, Kevin Govender  and Michaela Munro (both from Queensburgh), Charles Phillips (from Westville) Karl Hebbelmann (from Pinetown), who auditioned earlier this year have been working regularly over the last 5 months with Flatfoot dancers Thobile Maphanga, Sifiso Khumalo, Zihle Nzama and Jabu Siphika, and then intensely for the last three weeks with Luteijn.

‘We have been working with the Durban Downs Syndrome Society to initially audition dancers for this work, but also in an endeavour to develop a relationship with dancers who are wanting to perform and create,” says Lliane Loots, Artistic Director of JOMBA! and the Flatfoot Dance Company. “This is art project, not a therapy project. It is a project in which these dancers have made a commitment to making a profound piece of art. A meaningful work of art that can make a difference to us all. One that challenges the societal norms of who has access to create and who does not. We are all deeply excited about the work. It has been life-changing for us all, and we look forward to seeing it performed in front of an audience on Sunday.”

Choreography is by Adriaan Luteijn, artistic manager of INTRODANS’s educational department, Introdans Interactie. He is known for his work that explores and extends the usual expectations of art by working with elderly dancers, autistic dancers and others in an effort to “involve as many people as possible to the art of modern dance, not only for people who can find their way easily to the theatre, but for those that cannot.”

Luteijn says that professional dancers learn so much about themselves and their artform by dancing with people who are differently abled, and vice versa. “It is amazing to see how our guest dancers grow stronger in their self confidence, and, of course, the audience applause does the rest.”

The medical term “cardiac output” is used for the amount of blood pumped through the heart per minute. The choreography is about matters of the human heart which can influence the cardiac output. The first version of “Cardiac Output” premiered in March last year in Amsterdam.

“Cardiac Output” will close this year’s JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience on Sunday, September 3 at 6pm at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, UKZN.

Tickets are available at Computicket or at the door. 

Exciting opportunities for Choreographers and Dancers in JOMBA!'s Fringe and Youth Fringe programmes

The 19th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, which opens tonight  (Wednesday, August 23) and runs until Sunday, September 3, 2017 includes the much-loved JOMBA! Fringe programme featuring 10 new works by South African choreographers and dancers, and the delightful Youth Fringe,  with works by professional dance-makers performed by youth groups.

The Fringe, which takes place on Tuesday, August 29 at 7.30pm at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, is an open performance platform that provides an opportunity for choreographers (some new to choreography and some professional dancers) to present their work in a professional environment with the support of a full technical team.

“This is one of the ways in which the JOMBA! festival offers assistance in developing dance and choreographic talent by offering open professional performance spaces,” explains Lliane Loots Artistic Director of festival.

The JOMBA! Fringe features works by Jabu Siphika and Flatfoot Dance Company’s Advanced Dance Development Programme (ADD FLATFOOT) (Durban), Bonwa Mbontsi (Pietermaritzburg), Jarryd Watson andDANCE MOVMENT (Durban), JC Zondi (Pietermaritzburg), Kristi-Leigh Jean Gresse (Durban), Lucia Walker(Johannesburg), Qiniso Zamandla Zungu (Johannesburg), Thobi Maphanga and Shelby Strange, Kirsty Ndawo and Horror Collective (Durban), Yaseen Manuel (Cape Town) and Vusi Makhanya KwaMashu School of Dance/Dusi Dance Company ( Durban).

The JOMBA! Youth Fringe, which takes place on Sunday, August 27 at 2.30pm at the Open Air Theatre at UKZN, is a celebration of over 20 KZN based youth dance groups and the incredible dance work that they are doing.

The line-up for this year’s JOMBA include Birthmark Dancers - Choreographer: Lerato Maphumulo (Umlazi E-Section, DBN), Tuck n' Tumble - Choreographer:  Thobi Maphanga (Glenwood, Durban), Super Troupers - Choreographer:  Bonwa Mbontsi (Slangspruit Primary School, PMB), LiveArt -  Choreographer:  Bonwa Mbontsi (Epworth, PMB), Phakama Youth Company - Choreographers:  Sandile Mkhize and Nkhanyiso Kunene (Durban Central, DBN), Break-Thru Junior Elite Dance Company -  Choreographer:  Gabriel Masango (Durban), Junior KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre - Choreographers:  Thandeka Maqebula, Sabelo Gumbi and Tebogo Mncwabe (KwaMashu) , KweSethu Project. Choreographers:  Thandeka Maqebula, Sabelo Gumbi and Tebogo Mncwabe (Ntuzuma), Mtapo Project - Choreographers:  Thandeka Maqebula, Sabelo Gumbi and Tebogo Mncwabe (Inanda), Mofu Project - Choreographers:  Thandeka Maqebula, Sabelo Gumbi and Tebogo Mncwabe (Endwedwe), Amagugu (Danville Girls' High Dance Development Programme) - Choreographer:  Musa Hlatshwayo (Durban North), Mzansi Arts Development Ensemble - Choreographer:  Lucky Nonhlanhla Cele (KwaMashu), Siyakhula Dance Project (Flatfoot Dance Company) - Choreographer: Sifiso Khumalo (KwaMahsu),Project Hheshe Nsizwa (Flatfoot Dance Company) Choreographer: Jabu Siphika (Umlazi), Project Dudlu Ntombi (Flatfoot Dance Company) Choreographer - Zinhle Nzama and Thuli Khumalo (Umlazi), Waterloo Dance Programme (Flatfoot Dance Company) - Choreographer: Jabu Siphika (Waterloo), LeftFeetFIRST! (Flatfoot Dance Company) - Choreographer: Sifiso Khumalo (in partnership with the Open Air School), and William Clarke Gardens Dance Programme  (Flatfoot Dance Company) - Choreographer: Thobi Maphanga and Gcina Shange (Sherwood).

Tickets for the Fringe are through Computicket or at the door from one hour beforehand.  Entrance to the Youth Fringe is free. For the full programme go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and click on JOMBA.

7th annual Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

Now in its 7th year, this annual cinematic celebration of independent queer cinema, the Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (DGLFF), is expanding its reach within the Ethekwini region with screening venues that will include Durban's Outer West LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & intersex) communities. From both a practical and demand-driven perspective, #DGLFF2017 has recognised that for many, the journey to "town" is both expensive and often far. Therefore festival director Jason Fiddler has successfully negotiated with Tina's Hotel in Kloof, home to Roland Stansell's branch of Rhumbelow Theatre, to host two evening screenings of films on Thursday 31 August and Friday 1 September.

The Festival runs from 25 August to 3 September 2017 and includes the aha Waterfront Hotel & Spa in Point, Alliance Francaise and the Durban Lesbian & Gay Centre in Morningside, and the KZNSA Gallery in Glenwood as screening venues over its 10 day run.

Securing 'INXEBA' as the Opening Night Film for Friday 25 August at The Waterfront Hotel & Spa in Point, for the city's LGBTIQ community audience, festival director Fiddler couldn't be prouder or happier: "I've known about 'THE WOUND' ('INXEBA') as a project since the 2014 Durban FilmMart, when producer Elias Ribeiro was pitching it as a project for financing. I told him there and then I wanted it for DGLFF one day. Our audiences deserved to see a great locally made film that spoke to their own experiences, that shared their own stories. Elias' earlier gay short films had been included in our previous festivals, so I knew that he would be keen to maintain that relationship. I just never anticipated what an insanely huge deal this would be!" Growing social media attention of the film has led to some very strong calls for protest, as some in the Xhosa community and elsewhere have deemed the film a serious issue for them, bordering on cultural exploitation.

Described by Variety magazine as “a milestone in South African cinema”, 'INXEBA' stars musician and novelist Nakhane Touré as Xolani, a lonely factory worker who joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. Amidst sporadic calls for boycott, and some reports of threats to cast members, Fiddler is pragmatic: "The country is still very naive when it comes to our rights to freedom of expression, of protection against discrimination. The Constitution is there for a very good reason: to work against hegemony, hatred and homophobia. Whilst I'm deeply concerned that the intolerance and aggression displayed by some is very real, I also expect that many detractors haven't actually seen this powerful piece of cinema. We must have the space to express our creativity, artistry and views frankly and without intimidation."

The DGLFF line up this year also includes as Closing Night Film young filmmaker Thishiwe Ziqubu's ' SINA NOMAKOTSHANA' ('Dance with the Maiden'), a 24 minute short film about a girl falling in love with her contemporary dance partner and coming out of the closet during her traditional Zulu initiation. Other South African content includes Allan McDonald's moving documentary 'LOCKED IN'  about transgender people within the Xhosa and Muslim communities, including their very real struggles for acceptance. DGLFF will also host the world premiere of Durban filmmaker Dayakar Padayachee's 40 minute gay short 'SHADOW', a psychological horror following a gay Indian teen's decent into darkness during his parent's growingly ugly divorce, as a malevolent force takes hold.

Included in the two-night Tina's Hotel line up on Thursday 31 August and Friday 1 September are the Argentinean drama 'BROMANCE' (a feature film about three friends who realise they've grown as young men and their relationship is devolving on a weekend getaway at the beach), 'INXEBA', 'BOYS FOR SALE' (an adults-only feature documentary that takes a candid journey with Urisen, mainly straight gay-for-pay escorts, in Japan's oldest red light district) and 'SOMETHING LIKE SUMMER' (a surprisingly complex comedy-musical-romance that follows two high school guys who's whirlwind romance goes awry, and who find one another very different people years later; expect some really original vocal performances by some known TV talent).

Further, Fiddler has curated two sets of short films for outer west audiences. Running at 67 minutes, Lesbian Shorts includes three beautiful short films ('LILY' from Ireland; 'THE MASTERFUL HERMIT' from Wales; and 'THE PRETTY THINGS ARE GOING TO HELL' from Denmark) that explore tender relationships, old flames that turn up unexpectedly and the pain of parting. Spanish Gay Shorts (running 54 minutes) includes a trio of Spanish-language short films that explore the bisexual feelings of a man between his girlfriend and his best friend ('GOLDFISH' from Mexico), the very real matter of a couple who need to frankly discuss their sex life having been involved for some time ('VERSATILE' from Spain) and how little white lies can make for hilarious complications with grandma on your wedding day ('THE MARRIAGE' from Spain)!

With 7 feature films, 11 documentaries and almost 30 short films from 14 countries globally, including South Africa, the DGLFF expects to speak to the interests of many different audiences. Fiddler encourages mainstream audiences who love good cinema to participate: "Ours is an inclusive Festival. You don't have to be gay, or lesbian, or otherwise to appreciate these well made films. You just need to be open minded, and make the effort to discover new stories."

Further information is available on the Festival Website: www.dglff.org.za

Classy Run for Kesa Molotsane at Maritzburg SPAR Women's 10km Challenge - August 20

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CLASSY RUN FOR KESA MOLOTSANE AT MARITZBURG SPAR WOMEN’S 10 KM CHALLENGE

Kesa Molotsane (KPMG) had a classy run in the inaugural Grand Prix series of the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge on Sunday, August 20 winning in a convincing time of 34.21, followed by Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank) in 34.34 and Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) in 34.37.

In the penultimate race on the SPAR Grand Prix, the leading lady extended her domination over the log. Out of the starting blocks, Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) edged to the front of the pack, leading marginally for majority of the race, with Lebogang Phalula (Boxer) and Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank) tailing her closely on her shoulder.

Out of nowhere, the star runner started her assault to the front with about 4km remaining. Looking strong, she charged her way through the runners, joining the top three, matching their pace for the last few kilometres of the run. Striding away from van Zyl as they wound their way to the stadium, she secured her position on the top step of the podium, cementing her first spot on the log. Having started the 2017 series with a first in Cape Town, a first in Port Elizabeth, a second in Durban and third in Pretoria, she went into the Pietermaritzburg race with a decent 19 point lead ahead of van Zyl.

“I really enjoyed the run today, it was a really nice route. I love the hills, I grew up in a hilly area, so they don’t bother me. It was cold, and I took a while to warm up but I am really glad that I ran. It was a good test before I take on the 5,000m in World Student Games in Taipei this week. I am the only South African running the 5,000m and I want to do my country proud, so today has motivated me and given me the opportunity to challenge myself.”

Molotsane departed directly after the race, heading straight to the airport to go compete in Taiwan with her first 5,000m heat taking place on 25th August and the finals on 27th August. “I needed special permission to run in Pietermaritzburg from the Federation, but I think it was good for me ahead of running against the top international athletes. I wanted to retain my position in the Grand Prix to stay on top of the leaderboard, so needed to compete today.”

The class act said she didn’t have issues changing from track to road, or vice versa. “A lot of people find it challenging and demanding to handle both track and road, but it is easier for me, it isn’t so much of a shock. I think it is because I concentrate on the longer distances.”

Second on the leaderboard, van Zyl said, “I gave it my best but my best wasn’t good enough. I needed to push it as I find myself in a difficult situation with points on the Grand Prix log, I needed to win and get bonus points to stay in the game.”

“I am an impatient runner, so I tend to break early and take up the pace. It usually works for me but I just couldn’t hang in there. Kesa ran really well. I have had a tough year, with the injury that forced me out of the Durban race, I have been working hard to have a fighting chance. But I am glad it was a pain free run. I also like hilly courses, so enjoyed the my first time on the Maritzburg course.”

Second on the day, the petite Zimbabwean, Rutendo Nyahora overtook van Zyl, leaving her behind on the final stretch of road leading into the stadium. “I am feeling fine on the back of running a marathon. My running was down, so I had to kick hard and my plan worked.”

Molotsane shaved off 20seconds from the previous winning time of 34.41 that Lebogang Phalula clocked in 2016.

A total of 4,500 took to the two distances in a chilly 3 degrees. Peter Deeb, Marketing Director of SPAR KZN said, “Having the Maritzburg race being included in the Grand Prix has certainly raised the profile of the race. Everyone had a fantastic time, and we were full to capacity. It was a chilly morning to start off with, and the course had a lot of hills. We are very pleased with the numbers, and it is always wonderful to give back to our community as road running has a huge following here in Pietermaritzburg.”

Results

Open

1 Kesa Molotsane (KPMG) 34.21, 2 Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank) 34.34, 3 Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) 34.37, 4 Lebogang Phalula (Boxer) 34.50, 5 Betha Chikanga 34.58, 6 Maria Shai (Boxer) 35.02, 7 Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) 35.05, 8 Nolene Conrad (KPMG) 35.11, 9 Nicole Louw (KPMG) 35.23, 10 Rudo Mhonderwa (Nedbank) 35.32

35- 39

1 Janie Grundling (Boxer) 37.22, 2 Makhosi Mhlongo (32Gi) 37.41, 3 Fikile Mbuthuma (Nedbank) 39.02

40-49

1 Tanith Maxwell (Boxer) 37.56, 2 Janene Carey (Boxer) 39.55, 3 Delia Jay (Dolphin Coast Striders) 44.40

50-59

1 Judy Bird (KPMG) 39.54, 2 Grace de Oliveira (Boxer) 44.10, 3 Gail Babich (Savages) 46.47

60-69

1 Blanche Moila (Savages) 49.19, 2 Sonja Laxton (RAC) 50.34, 3 Jenny Taylor (Saints Athletics) 51.13

70 plus

1 Gill Tregenna (Westville) 59.22

Juniors

1 Nicole Louw (KPMG) 35.23, 2 Shanley Koekemoer (KPMG) 37.27, 3 Cherry Lee Schoeman (Boxer) 39.53

-ends

SPAR Women's Race - Pietermaritzburg: The Oval - Sunday 20 August

The race is on for this weekend’s SPAR Women’s main event that takes place around Alexandra Park on Sunday morning.

Back to defend her title is Gauteng’s Lebogang Phalula. Having completed the race last year in a dazzling time of 34.41, the second fastest time clocked in recent times, Phalula is hoping to improve on her Grand Prix standing where she is sitting in fourth place currently.

Sporting the number 1 this weekend is Irvette van Zyl running in the colours of Nedbank. Van Zyl has had mixed fortunes on the road this year, with two second places, and a first in the last SPAR Grand Prix event held in Pretoria. The three time Grand Prix winner had one glitch when she was forced to retire in Durban due to her niggling back injury. She is currently second on the GP log.

Leading the pack is the hard-working KPMG athlete, Kesa Molotsane. Molotsane has accumulated 107 points in the four races held prior to the Pietermaritzburg 10km. In all of her races, she has an impressive presence on the podium with two firsts kicking off her GP year, followed by a second in the Durban race and a third in the Pretoria race. She is 19 points clear of Olympic runner, van Zyl.

Waving the KZN flag, Jenna Challenor will be back. Having had a quiet year plagued with injuries, it will be interesting seeing the one-time winner flying around the familiar route, but this time with many more elite athletes in the front pack. Back from training in Scotland, Durban athlete Tanith Maxwell, also a one-time winner and a regular feature in the Pietermaritzburg race, has turned her focus on the gruelling longer distances, will be stretching her legs around the picturesque setting.

Pietermaritzburg running fans will also be pleased to know that the Comrades darling, Caroline Wostmann is pencilled down as an entry running for KPMG. 

The running club, KPMG is creaming the points with all of their representative athletes performing well. The club has 441 points in total, with the ever-present impressive team of Nedbank sitting on 350 points currently.

A maximum capacity field of 4,500 runners is expected to be taking to the tarmac around Alexandra Park in the two race distances, with the route being described as an out and back. Both fields having an all-in start at 8am. The predicted weather looks to be a chilly 9 degrees with clear, sunny skies at the start time, and warming up to 21 degrees during the course of the day.

Entries are still available at Race Registration at The Oval Cricket Stadium, Alexandra Park on Friday 18 August (10am to 5pm) and Saturday 19 August (10am to 3pm) or until the maximum 4500 are reached. 

 Entries are open to all from ages of 14 years and up in the 10km event and 9 years in the 5km races. Entry fees are R100 for the 10km licensed athletes and for the 5km runners. R110 is the entry fee for the non-licensed athletes; the extra R10 includes a temporary licence for the day.  

Kesa Molotsane will be taking to the roads this weekend in Pietermaritzburg for the upcoming SPAR Women’s Challenge on Sunday.

 Previous winners:

2016: Lebogang Phalula (Boxer) 34.41

2015: Tebogo Masehla (Boxer) 36.10

2014: Rene Kalmer (Modern Athlete) 34.13

Free Workshops for dancers and dance-makers at JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience

23 August – 3 September 2017

 JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience will host four open workshops at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Dance Studio (Howard College Campus) between 23 August and 3 September, as part of the festival’s efforts to share knowledge and skills to local dancers, choreographers and dance teachers.

The 19th annual JOMBA! festival, which is hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (within the College of Humanities),  includes a packed line up of local and international guests, who will in assist in facilitating workshops, that are open to the public.

The first workshop is facilitated by Kossi Sebastien Aholou-Wokawui from steptext dance project in Germany. Kossi is a dancer and dance teacher from Togo and he will take dancers into the world of ‘AFRO-AFRICAN’ technique. He defines ‘AFRO-AFRICAN’ technique as an African dance of modern expression, it is a synthesis of traditional dances of West Africa, Western contemporary dance and Caribbean dance (Haiti/Cuba). He says that this technique is an ongoing dialogue with the cosmos and nature and works mainly on rooting, breathing and the mobility of the spine, giving special importance to improvisation and musical accompaniment, all styles/techniques and abilities are welcome. This workshop takes place on Thursday 24 August, from 4 to 6pm.

Memela Nyamze from Cape Town will facilitate a workshop drawing on the politics of the “BODY” on Saturday 26 August from 10am to 12 noon. Nyamza radically deconstructs the normative expectations of who qualifies to be a dancer. In this workshop dancers will explore dynamic ways of communicating with your bodies by simply using physical techniques, the mind, the soul, and the past and the presence in the most symbolic way. Dancers of all abilities and levels, and who are 18 years and older may attend this.

On Tuesday 29 August from 5 to 7pm,  Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance 2017, Thandazile “Sonia” Radebe from Johannesburg, will facilitate an open level workshop combined technique class that will explore some of Radebe’s working methods in her creation of SABELA, all abilities and levels welcome.

Finally on Saturday 2 September from 10am-12noon, Adriaan Lutijn teacher/ artistic manager  of INTRODANS – from Arnhem in Holland will take participants through the daily routine of this modern ballet company, in a practical way. He will use the repertoire of the performance of INTRODANS on the festival as an inspiration. Dancers of all backgrounds in dance are welcome at this workshop.

These workshops are offered free of charge to participants but booking is essential as places are limited. The workshops are open to dancers 16 years and older (unless otherwise specified) .

Bookings can be done on 082 875 6065 (during office hours only) or e-mailjombafestival@gmail.com at least 2 days in advance of the workshop

For more information contact Lliane Loots on lootsl@ukzn.ac.za

Road Closures for the Maritzburg SPAR Women's 10/5 km Challenge

Pietermaritzburg: Sunday 20 August

Runners and walkers are gearing up for the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge, which takes place in and around The Oval in the picturesque Alexandra Park on Sunday 20 August.

An expected 4,500 participants will be taking to the streets with both the 5km and 10km beginning at 8am. As this year is the first time that the race has been included in the national SPAR Grand Prix Series, there will be much interest in watching the elite athletes pounding the road in an endeavour to improve their log standings.

“We urge entrants to take note of the road closures and ensure that you plan to arrive well before the race as main access roads start closing from 07:30,” says race director Brad Glasspoole. “We also encourage residents to note the closures which should only have a minimal impact on the City for a short time.”

The road closures and opening times are as follows:

Sunday, August 20

Balmoral – closed from 03:00 – 11:00

Princess Margaret– closed from 03:00 – 11: 00

Park Drive between Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth – closed from 03:00 – 11:00

Princess Elizabeth – closed from 03:00 – 11:00

Park Drive from College Rd to Princess Elizabeth – closed from 07:00 – 11:00

Alexandra Road from Cross Rd to Alan Paton Ave – closed (inbound only) from 07:00 – 10:00

Alan Paton Ave from Alexandra Rd to Burger St – closed (inbound only) from 07:00 – 08:30

Alexandra Road – closed in both directions from 07:30 until approximately 08:45 (to accommodate the large field)

Entries for the challenge are still open, with two options to enter. Enter online paying with credit card at www.sparwomensrace.co.za/maritzburguntil August 14. Entering using a manual entry form can be done at race registration which is on Friday 18 August (10:00 to 17:00) and Saturday 19 August (10:00 to 15:00) at The Oval Cricket Stadium, Park Drive, Alexandra Park.

Entries are open to all from ages of 14 years and up in the 10km event and 9 years in the 5km races. Entry fees are R100 for the 10km licensed athletes and for the 5km runners. R110 is the entry fee for the non-licensed athletes; the extra R10 includes a temporary licence for the day. 

For more info contact the race organisers on maritzburg@sparwomensrace.co.za or visit the official race on www.sparwomensrace.co.za or like the Facebook page.

Red Bull Kas’Lami rocks Kwa-Mashu, KZN

South Africa / Kwa-Zulu Natal / Culture / Music / Red Bull Kas’Lami

The fourth edition of Red Bull Kas’Lami rocks Kwa-Mashu

The fourth edition of Red Bull Kas’Lami took over KwaMashu this weekend and, according to the organisers, was a resounding success. The three-day programme celebrated local township heroes, while embracing the wider cultural landscape of KZN’s second largest township.

It was not only the township dwellers that attended the event, but people came from around KZN to enjoy the mind blowing line up performers. 

The Kas’Lami event, meaning “My Hood”, aims to showcase local performing artists that have emerged from South African townships: paying tribute to their humble beginnings and their epic, inspirational journeys to success.

The festival started on Friday, 4 August 2017 at Artizen lounge with the screening of a film, featuring success stories of Durban-born talents.  The screening, which was open to the public was, followed by a Q&A session. On Saturday 5 August 2017, an info session was held by Rude Boyz and SoKool at Big Box Park, who engaged with upcoming talent and shared insights about the colourful South African music industry.

Sunday turned out to be the highlight of the festival, with a music concert at Artizen Lounge,  attended by hundreds of people.

“This years Red Bull Kas’Lami was one of the best productions of any event I have seen in Ekasi,” said Gagasi personality, DJ Mario Munday, who was afeatured DJ.

The concert boasted a killer lineup, which included remixer DJ and Metro FM award winner – Culoe de Song! Durban’s Gqom kings –  Distruction Boyz, and performances by DJ Kabila, EM Ex, DJ SoKool, Bhunu Brill, Snapbvck, Menace, Malusi, Urban Angel and DJ Lag.

This was the fourth year that the festival travelled to different South African townships. Red Bull Kas’Lami started in Tembisa in 2014, before moving on to Umlazi in 2015, featuring Umlazi-born international DJ superstar, Black Coffee. Polokwane had a taste of the Kas’Lami magic in December 2016 where Da Capo and King Monada were headline artists at Polokwane Shisanyama.  

South African & KZN Talent to Shine at this year’s JOMBA!

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South African and KZN Talent to Shine at this year’s

19th annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience

23 August – 3 September 2017

The JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (situated in the College of Humanities), showcases a number of South African, and international choreographers, dancers and dance-makers at this year’s 19th edition which takes place at various venues in Durban from 23 August to 3 September.

Dance-lovers can expect to see a variety of contemporary styles speaking to a myriad issues from Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, and then further afield from Holland (INTRODANS), Germany (steptext dance projects) and the West African country of Benin (Marcel Gbeffa).

Opening night on August 23 features choreography by South Africa’s celebrated dancer and dance-maker Gregory Maqoma of Vuyani Dance Theatre in collaboration with Helge Letonja, of Germany’s steptext dance projects.

Benin dancer and choreographer Marcel Gbeffa, will not only perform his acclaimed solo work “Et Si ...”,  through the  support of Alliance Française (Durban), the Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud, but will also run JOMBA’s annual  festival residency with five local dancers: Bonwa Mbontsi, Tegan Peacock, Steven Banzoulu, Sibonelo “China” Mchunu, and Kim McCusker-Bartlett. The culmination of the residency will be given a showing at the JOMBA! @ the KZNSA event on Monday 28 August at 6pm.

Cape Town-based Mamela Nyamza, makes her JOMBA! debut this year. Often called the agent provocateur of South African contemporary dance, Nyamza’s outspoken and politically edgy dance theatre work has garnered a worldwide reputation. In her newest work, “DE-APART-HATE” Nyamza takes on the legacy of the “rainbow nation” and begins to question issues around religion, race, sexuality and gender. The work is a visceral engagement with the politics of decolonisation. Not for the faint-hearted but will definitely be the talking point for this year’s festival.

With a strong emphasis on looking at the key women choreographers making dance waves in South Africa, JOMBA! is proud to presents the 2017 Standard Bank Young Artist (SBYA) for dance, Thandazile “Sonia” Radebe. Considered, in 2013, by the Mail and Guardian, to be one of the top 200 young South Africans to look out for, Radebe has a long and illustrious career as both dancer and choreographer. As a 2003 graduate of Moving Into Dance Mophatong, Radebe spent over 15 years working with MIDM before heading off on her own. Her SBYA work commissioned for the National Arts Festival, “SABELA” is inspired by our names as human beings. Through “SABELA” Radebe explores the tension between these names and numbers that ultimately concludes that we do not have to be reduced to ID Numbers, Student Numbers, Employee Numbers, Prison Numbers, and Patient Numbers. It is a thoughtful and deeply beautiful dance work that defines a new lexicon of important dance works emerging in South Africa.

JOMBA! will to host its second venue partnership with the KZNSA Gallery for 2017 (Monday 28 August @ 6pm). The gallery space offers an alternate kind of challenge to dance makers and for those intrepid artists who work outside of the traditions of the proscenium arch. Not only will this event see the outcome of Benin’s Marcel Gbeffa’s JOMBA! residency, but the evening will host 3 new works by some of Durban’s most cutting edge voice. All three of the invited choreographers have opted to make site –specific or in sutu performance work and so this year the JOMBA! @ the KZNSA Gallery is also the JOMBA! KZN ON THE EDGE featuring new works by Sifiso Khumalo, Lorin Sookool and Mdu Mthsali. 

Sifiso Khumalo’s “Isifungo” (meaning oath) uses the extremities of the stairs of the gallery space as dancers defy gravity and leap on walls and ceilings in a textual and embodied attempt to look at how often we break the oaths we make in our lives. Dancers find themselves trapped in between the walls of commitment. Khumalo is one of the founding members of FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY and has a long and celebrated Durban career as dancer, choreographer and dance educator.

Lorin Sookool performs her solo “BAD” in the main gallery space and it is a sharp and witty explorations of the notion of post-feminism in an image-obsessed, web-empowered generation. Through the portrayal of iconic sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe, “BAD” investigates the tension between the female body as object and the female body as sacred. Sookool , originally a Durban girl, is presently a company member at the Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (FATC) based in rural Mpumalanga.

JOMBA!’S KZN ON THE EDGE, finishes off with a duet by veteran Durban dancer Mdu Mtshali called “Alive Kids”. Performed in the courtyard of the gallery, this virtuoso duet offers up the image of two disenfranchised street children finding grace despite so much. Described as a work about personal transformation, this work is danced by the two 2017 ‘poster boys’ for JOMBA! - Nqubeko Ngema and Njabulo Zungu.

The JOMBA Fringe features 10 new works of 10 to 15 minute each on August 29, and the Youth Fringe on August 27. With over 40 entries for a coveted place in this year’s JOMBA! Fringe, the selection of only 10 works was a difficult task but means that the final selection offers a standard of dance theatre that is growing. The JOMBA! Youth Fringe takes place at the UKZN Open Air Theatre (entrance is free!) and is a celebration of over 20 KZN based youth dance groups and the incredible dance work that they are doing.

JOMBA! also offers a full programme of workshops and master classes by all of the participating dancers and choreographers. These workshops and classes are offered free of charge (dancer over 16yrs only) but booking is essential via jombafestival@gmail.com.

For a full listings and the programme go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and link to the JOMBA! page. Follow on Facebook (JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience) and Twitter (Twitter@Jomba_dance)

The 19th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience is under the artistic direction and curatorship of Lliane Loots and is organised and hosted and run by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), and is supported primarily by the eThekwini Municipality

-ends

In Conversation with German Film-Maker - Doris Dörrie by Peter Machen

In Conversation with Doris Dörrie by Peter Machen

Peter Machen spoke to leading German filmmaker Doris Dörrie about her remarkable film Fukushima, Mon Amour which screened at the Durban International Film Festival as part of the German Focus last week.

One of Germany’s leading filmmakers, Doris Dörrie has made several films set in Japan. Her latest film takes place in the evacuated zone of Fukushima where an older geisha has returned to her home in the company of a young German woman who has travelled to the area with a foreign aid organisation. Shot on site, in the aftermath of the nuclear meltdown and the 2011 tsunami that caused it, Fukushima, Mon Amour is remarkable for its fusion of fiction and reality and the way that it tenderly holds the one inside of the other.

I spoke to Dörrie’s about this beautifully judged film, beginning with her initial experience of visiting Fukushima after the meltdown. Dörrie, who has visited Japan many times and made several films in the country, felt a strong need to visit Fukushima in the wake of the devastating disaster. “I have so many friends there and I didn’t want to sit around and get all the information from the news. Everybody in Germany thought all of Japan was radioactively polluted and foreigners pretty much left Japan in those times and nobody wanted to go. So I figured, ‘well I should go’. So I did and I was very struck and overwhelmed by the enormity, the devastation, but also by how people tried to cope.”

“Back then refugees from Fukushima had just moved into these temporary housings and they were trying to come to grips with the fact that they had lost everything within 20 minutes. Which is a very basic human fear – to just lose everything in a moment.”

“And it reminded me so much of the experience my parent's generation had in World War II. Both my parents lost their place to live and everything in Hanover because of the bombing. I didn’t really know whether I wanted to write about Fukushima or make a documentary about it but I knew that I wanted to talk about it. And then it took a long time to come up with the story. I went back so many times and tried to figure out whether it would be possible to shoot at all in that region because it was still ‘the zone’.”

On January 1, 2016, the Japanese government decided to open the zone again because, says Dörrie, they did not want to pay the subsidies for the refugees. “People were being asked to move back, but there was nothing to move back to. So that became the nucleus of the film’s story – this old lady goes back to her destroyed house. And there’s nothing there. Nothing whatsoever. “

And was she concerned about the impact on her own long-term health and that of her crew?

“We shot in the former zone for six weeks and I was there for three months. But by then, we had done so much research. I had taken dust samples and I had gotten them analysed by the German Institute for Radioactivity and they had assured me again and again that it would be alright to take a crew there and spend several weeks there. I really tried very hard to be on the safe side because I didn’t want to take on the responsibility for the entire team. I couldn’t do that.”

“So we made very, very sure that it was going to be okay. We all wore dosimeters that keep collecting the accumulated radioactivity that you’re exposed to. And we sent them in after we got back to Germany and we were just lucky that the readings turned out to be totally okay. That was, of course, a bit of luck also. It’s of course not safe to dig in the ground, to sit under a tree, to eat berries. All of that is not safe, of course not.”

Talking about screenings of the film in Japan, Dörrie says that audiences were extremely emotional. “Everybody has a connection to Fukushima somehow. And people are so grateful to us – which really puts me to shame – but they are, because nobody ever shot a feature film in that region. Nobody. And that’s very, very touching to be thanked for. It is bizarre but sometimes it works that way – that foreigners can come in and they talk about traumas. Because they’re not affected by the trauma, sometimes it's easier to come in from the outside and talk about these things.”

But while cultural distance has its advantages, there are always dangers to telling other people’s stories. Which is why Dörrie says that she always insists on having her perspective in films that deal with other cultures. “Because I wouldn’t dare talk about Japan from a Japanese viewpoint. So that’s why I have the young German in the film, who goes to Japan, who doesn’t know anything about it, who is a fool, the traditional fool, who is very innocent on one hand but also quite ignorant. And I need to have that perspective because that’s, of course, my perspective. As much as I read up and I do research, I’m still ignorant about a lot of things. Because you can never get the inside perspective on a country. So I need to have that perspective from the outside in the story itself.”

o The German Focus at the Durban International Film Festival was presented by the Goethe –Institut, German Films and the German Embassy.