The talented Bloemfontein-born choreographer Thami Majela is to set the stage on fire with live performances of his latest dance production Don’t Let the Sun Set on You Here. The electrifying production officially starts today, Thursday (15/06) at 18:00, and will end on Saturday (17/06) in the Andre Huguenet Theatre at Pacofs.
This production comes courtesy of the National Arts Festival, Standard Bank, French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), MUDA Africa in Tanzania, and the Market Theatre Laboratory.
Majela has collaborated with equally talented dancers, namely Sibonelo Mchunu (South Africa), Tawanda Mandara (Zimbabwe), and Mahmoud Mbege (Tanzania).
The contemporary production explores the current geopolitical, racial, and climatorial issues that keep the world under pressure. It follows a surrealistic, afro-futuristic and an aesthetic approach that includes scientific and historic elements. It also strives to open the intersection of the African diaspora in terms of philosophy, culture, technology, and fashion. Furthermore, it is a re-imagination and re-presentation of black people and their bodies, and instils pride.
Majela is regarded as one of the most exciting choreographers and dancers of his time. This assessment is based on him winning the sought-after Standard Bank Young Artist prize last year, and succeeding in studying and dancing abroad.
Majela was part of the Virtual National Arts Festival in 2020, and has been performed on various platforms over the last three years. Over the past decade he has performed around the world, developing a distinctive repertoire that fuses classical ballet, contemporary dance, and various African dance styles.
Early in his career, Majela had the opportunity to work with prominent South African dance practitioners such as, Dada Masilo and PJ Sabbagha.
Majela’s big break came in 2015 when he was selected by Pro Helvetia, the Swiss arts council for a research residency in Switzerland, where he performed the duet Interim with Margarita Kennedy.
His first solo piece, A last one in colour, was developed into an international collaboration with dancer-choreographer Manao Shimokawa and film producer Axel Stasny. This spurred Majela into various short film projects such as Sub Zero, Layered Waves, Each Passing Minute, iNxeba, and Lilith, Lucifer and Eve.
Majela graduated from the Performing Arts, Research and Training Studios in Belgium, where he was trained in improvisation. This came after successfully completing his dance and dance teaching studies at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria.
Tickets are available at Pacofs at R80 per person, and R60 for students or groups of five or more.
