Tomorrow, a special free dance festival called KZN Dance Festival for Women, and this year it is named Rehab KZN, will take place at Playhouse. The festival is an afternoon event where five dance ensembles from KZN will present joint works that tell touching stories of deep human experiences through dance.
The dancers explore the theme of 'Rehabilitation'—the process of recovery that helps a person return to a normal life after getting well, especially in the context of women's stories. Their performances find hope and a sense of camaraderie in narratives about gender-based violence (GBV), human trafficking, and abuse. The overall message of the event is positive, thoughtful, and affirming of life.
This project was organized by Mandisa Ndlovu and her Dance Academy with the support of Lucky Sele and in partnership with the Uluzolo Youth Organization. Mandisa built her career through dance and directs her energy towards helping other women so they can use dance as a way to tell their stories.
Soloists and dance groups selected during an open competition represent communities from across the KZN province. More than sixty performers will take part in the program. Ndlovu and Sele visited each group individually to spend time with them and rehearse the numbers in their own community spaces.
Mandisa Ndlovu noted the high quality of talent in KZN, emphasizing that it is rare for different groups to have the opportunity to work together and appreciate each other. She expressed surprise at the high level of dance and how polished the routines are. According to her, when she first organized such a festival, she was amazed by how developed, professional, polished, and mature the pieces were.
The festival is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, August 30th, at 3:00 PM at the Playhouse Loft theatre.