Local dancer returns to where it all began
JOBURG – Dance sensation, Vincent Mantsoe, returns to his home stage.
Vincent Mantsoe, South African-born dancer and choreographer is returning home, after a lengthy time abroad, to showcase his new body of work at Wits University.
The internationally acclaimed dancer began to pursue a career as a performer more than 20 years ago. “I found the passion for dancing during the mid-80s. Me, Gregory Maqoma (creator of Vuyani Dance Theatre company) and friends formed a community group called the Joy Dancers, in the middle of all the political tension – so I found dance and it found me,” Mantsoe explained, smiling.
It was only in the early 90s, however, that he began to dance professionally.
Having received his first solo award for a piece called Gula, at the Dance Umbrella in 1993, dancing with dance company, Moving into Dance, at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as president in 1994. He danced for Queen Beatrix of Holland, met French President, François Hollande, last year and again this year, and together with the South African president, he has been part of many momentous occasions.
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Currently based in France, Mantsoe is acclaimed for his unique choreographic style, which has evolved from his early Afro-fusion dance training under the mentorship of Sylvia ‘Magogo’ Glasser and Moving into Dance, and draws on African, contemporary and Asian movements. His work is strongly focused on preserving cultures, particularly his own South African culture, in the 21st Century.
Now he returns to Wits to showcase his new solo work, Konkoriti, on 8 September for one night only and he’s definitely looking forward to it.
“Wits was my first introduction to performing in the theatre. I truly feel honoured to return to where it all began. If I’m not mistaken, I think I left some of my spirit there,” he laughed.
Gita Pather, director of Wits Theatre, also looks forward to his performance this month. “I was honoured that Vincent wanted to perform his new solo show at the Wits Theatre. He is a dancer and choreographer who I have enormous respect for and staging his work at the theatre is an affirmation of the theatre being a place of innovation and excellence,” said Pather.
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