DISAPPEARANCE – South African contemporary dancer and committed artist, rewarded many times for her art, she died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 39.
South African choreographer and dancer Dada Masilo died on December 29, 2024, at just 39 years old. Through her vibrant and daring creations, she left her mark on an entire generation, pushing the boundaries of contemporary and classical dance. Originally from Soweto, South Africa, Dada Masilo has transcended his roots to light up international stages with a unique style, blending classical dance and African rhythms. More than an artist, she was a woman of heart, dedicated to providing opportunities to young talents in her country. James Ngcobo, artistic director of the Soweto theater, where a plaque in his name was inaugurated in early December, remembers the artist with emotion: “It has enabled so many dancers to work, giving them a chance to build a dignified life in our country. »
Committed artist
From a young age, Dada trained passionately in classical and contemporary dance, first at Braamfontein’s National School for the Arts, then at the Dance Factory in Johannesburg. At just 19 years old, she flew to Europe and joined PARTS, the Brussels school of Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, where she refined her art. She quickly invented her own choreographic language, fusing Western techniques and traditional African dances to create shows that transcend cultures.
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Dada Masilo, Ebony Ballerina
Known for her boundless energy and magnetic presence, Dada Masilo revolutionized classical ballet by infusing it with a new soul. She dared to Swan Lake black and gay, a Carmen fierce denouncing violence against women, or even a Giselle revisited as a feminist heroine. In 2022, she presents The Sacrificean adaptation of Rite of Spring by Stravinsky, which she enriches with the Tswana rites of Botswana. Each creation was a manifesto, a cry from the heart against the social taboos and injustices of its time. His shows, imbued with grace and power, resonated like political acts. It addressed themes such as homophobia, the oppression of women and the ravages of AIDS in South Africa. But beyond these struggles, she was above all an outstanding storyteller, captivating her audience with universal stories, sublimated by dance.
Dada Masilo – Swan Lake
Recognition of his talent was quick and deserved. In 2008, she won the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Dance at just 22 years old. Ten years later, she was awarded the Danza&Danza prize for her masterful performance in Giselle and nominated for the famous Bessie Award. In December 2024, a few weeks before his disappearance, his name was inscribed on a golden star in front of the Soweto theater, alongside 43 “ artistic icons of the City of Gold. » At the time of his death, Dada Masilo was working on an autobiographical solo exploring loss and mourning, a prescient project. She leaves behind an immense void, but also an invaluable artistic and human heritage.