Famous South African contemporary dancer Dada Masilo dies at the age of 39

“A bright light has gone out.” Dada Masilo, the internationally renowned South African dancer and choreographer, died suddenly this weekend in hospital at the age of 39 “after a short illness”, a spokesperson for her family said in a press release.

Described as an energetic and fearless dancer who broke the rules, Dada Masilo, born in township Soweto, introduced African dance rhythms to classical European roles in a career that spanned two decades.

Winner of an award last September

Winner of numerous local and international prizes, in September she received the Positano Leonide Massine Prize for her entire career in classical and contemporary dance, an award which saluted her revisited versions of the great classics of romantic ballet, drawing inspiration from the African dance to talk about the society in which she lived and tolerance beyond borders.

“A brilliant light has gone out,” declared the Joburg Ballet company, saluting “Masilo’s creative force as a choreographer and his wisdom as a human being.” “Her groundbreaking work has reshaped the world of contemporary dance and her spirit will continue to inspire generations of artists and audiences,” writes the Department of Arts and Culture at the University of Johannesburg.

A “tragic loss for the world of dance”

The UK-based Dance Consortium, which toured twice with Dada Masilo in that country, called his death a “tragic loss to the world of dance”. “His fresh perspective, extraordinary presence and stunning creations have inspired audiences and artists across the UK and around the world.”

Masilo was best known for her iconic reinvention of ballet classics like “Swan Lake” and “Giselle,” said Lliane Loots, artistic director of the JOMBA! dance center. from the University in KwaZulu-Natal. She used her “remarkable talent as a ballet dancer” to fuse this European dance form “with the rhythms and (…) her own history of African dance,” added Lliane Loots.