……BY BILLY SUTER……
TRIBUTES have been pouring in over social media for internationally respected Soweto-born dancer/choreographer, Dada Masilo, who died on Sunday, December 29, after a brief illness. She was 39.
The dance world was stunned by the passing of this recipient of many local and global awards, including an Italian lifetime achievement award for classic and contemporary dance in September 2024 at the Premio Positano Léonide Massine for the Art of Dance.
Masilo began her meteoric career at the Dance Factory in Newtown, Johannesburg, in the 1990s.
Fahiem Stellenboom, marketing manager for Cape Town’s Baxter Theatre, wrote on Facebook: “A little giant has fallen: The Baxter management and staff extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and close associates of Dada Masilo. This is an enormous loss to the arts, and dance in particular. Dance gently amongst the angels, dear Dada.”
Choreographer and dancer Gregory Vuyani Maqoma wrote: “The passing of Dada Masilo marks the loss of an extraordinary artist who revolutionised the world of dance. With her fearless creativity, she redefined classical forms, merging them with African traditions to create profoundly moving works that challenged conventions and celebrated humanity.
“From her early brilliance as a prodigy to her status as a global trailblazer, Dada’s legacy is one of bold storytelling, transformative artistry, and unwavering advocacy for social justice. Though she has left the stage, her spirit lives on in the countless lives she touched and the indelible mark she left on the arts.
“I first met her as a 13-year old, taking classes at The Dance Factory under the auspices of Suzette Le Sueur ,who continued to mentor Dada till her last breath.
“Her rise was not slow, but meteoric. At just 16, she astonished the world with a solo I choreographed on her – based on a poem she wrote, Invoking the First – in Diane von Furstenberg’s New York studio. In that small, yet luminous space, she unveiled a ferocity and grace that defied her years – a performer as fearless as she was poetic. This moment marked the birth of a star who would soon become a constellation.”
Gerard Bester, head of the Windybrow Dance Centre, said: “An extraordinary artist gone too soon. My favourite memory will be of Dada facilitating the most wonderful dance classes for children at The Dance Factory. My son was lucky to have taken part.”
Theatre stalwart Ismail Mahomed wrote: “Sadness beyond words! What a tragic loss to our world.”
Born on February 21, 1985, Dada Masilo was only 11 in 1996, when she was invited to dance for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. She was educated at the National School of the Arts in Braamfontein, matriculating in 2002.
In 2003 she went on to train at Jazzart Dance Theatre under the tutelage of Alfred Hinkel in preparation for her training in performance at P.A.R.T.S. (Performing Arts Research and Training Studios) in Brussels, Belgium.
Dancing with various companies and in a solo capacity, Masilo was recognised for her unique presence onstage. In 2006 she was celebrated as the ‘Most Promising Female Dance in a Contemporary Style’ by the Gauteng Arts and Culture MEC Award judges, and in 2008, at just 22, she was the recipient of the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Dance. The latter enabled her career, her personal confidence in her work and her audience awareness to take flight internationally. Masilo was an extraordinary dancer, who understood the value of proper balletic training.
She was prolific in her work and bold in breaking rules. In 2016 her Swan Lake was nominated for a Bessie Award in New York; a year later, her Giselle won ‘Best Performance’ by the Italian Danza&Danza Award and in 2018 she won the Netherlands’ Prince Claus ‘Next Generation’ Award 2018.
During her brilliant career, she collaborated with the likes of William Kentridge, Ann Masina, Albert Silindokuhle Ibokwe Khoza, David April, PJ Sabbagha and Gregory Maqoma. Her work is distinguished by her fearlessness.
She was known to take great ballet classics of the ilk of Carmen, Hamlet, The Rite of Spring and Romeo and Juliet and tear them apart, bringing in African dance motifs and a universal and powerful understanding of their lead women.
Deeply respectful of European and contemporary music traditions, but unafraid to go bare on stage and voice her own opinions, she effectively changed the shape and appearance of contemporary dance in South Africa.
At the beginning of December 2024, she was acknowledged by the City of Joburg as one of 44 “artistic icons in the City of Gold” with a star embedded into the wall of Soweto Theatre. This award meant a lot to her. It was the most important acknowledgement of her career ‘at home’.
At the time of her unexpected passing, she was working on a new autobiographical solo piece about the loss of loved ones.
The Masilo family have requested privacy in honour of Dada’s memory, at this tragic time.
Arrangements for a memorial service will be announced when arrangements have been made.
.....SoSuterBill..... 