Gregory Makoma reflected on his life after Dada Mashiro's death.
Renowned choreographer Gregory Makoma said the late dancer and fellow choreographer Dada Masilo was fearless in practicing his art on and off stage.
“Dada Mashiro was fearless in his choreographic vision, but on stage he transformed into a beast with powerful, raw, and unrelenting expression,” Makoma said. The Citizen.
Masilo's family announced Sunday evening that she passed away after a short illness. She was 39 years old.
Makoma talked about how he felt when he first heard about Mashiro's death, saying he was shocked.
“I felt a flood of disbelief, overwhelming and disorienting emotions, and the question dawned on me: Is she going to rise up, supported by an award worthy of her accomplishments? Why at a time like this?”
Despite being just under 40 years old, Masilo's career has spanned more than 20 years, and she has created work that will outlive herself.
“She worked with dancers, created safe spaces for them, created jobs, and toured all over the world. She recognized injustice and spoke out for the rights of others. They were dancing,” Makoma asserted.
Also read: Famous dancer Dada Mashiro worked on a piece about losing a loved one days before his death
“The loss is immeasurable.”
Makoma is the founder and executive director of the renowned dance organization Buyani Dance Theater (VDT), which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
The veteran choreographer said his relationship with Mashiro was based on mutual respect and that he was able to confide in him about issues in the industry because he knew Mashiro had a brother to talk to.
“The last conversation we had was when she asked me if I was really retiring as a dancer. And I said to her, 'Dada, you're going to fill that space tenfold. I came here.''
“The loss is incalculable. We cannot replace Dada, but her body of work is a legacy that will remain in our hearts.
It's a loss to the continent and to the world's grand stage, where her body of work has been a disruptor, challenging norms and triumphant re-imaginings of classical ballet. ”
Also read: Gregory Makoma celebrates 25 years of Buyani Dance Theater by bringing dance to the people
Awarded at home
As recently as early December, Mashilo was awarded a star on the wall of the Soweto Theater alongside other esteemed South African artists.
“I am glad that the City of Joburg gave her a star while she was on this earth with us, and that we will look at that star and remember her,” Makoma said. said.
“But more importantly, find a way for her body of work to remain for generations to come, because it poses a challenge to us and encourages even the most stubborn people to at least process their actions.” It forces me to do something. I'll be very lonely if she's gone.”
Reflecting on winning the award at Soweto Theatre, Masilo said: “It was an awards ceremony at the Soweto Theatre, it was also World AIDS Day and I was remembering my aunt who died of AIDS.
“Usually I rehearse everything, including my speech, but yesterday when I was handed the microphone, I thought, oh my aunt is here!”
Masilo first came to the attention of the dance industry in 1996, at the age of 11, when she was invited to dance for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
She was educated at the National School of Art in Braamfontein and matriculated in 2002.
In 2003, she continued her training at the JazzArt Dance Theater under the direction of Alfred Hinkel in preparation for performance training at PARTS (Performing Arts Research and Training Studio) in Brussels, Belgium.
In 2006, Mashilo won the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Dance at the age of 22, hailed as the most promising female dancer in a contemporary style by the judges of the Gauteng Arts and Culture Awards MEC Awards.
In 2016 she swan lake This work was nominated for the New York Bessie Award. One year later she Gisele He won the Best Performance Award at the Danza&Danza Award in Italy, and the Prince Claus Next Generation Award 2018 in the Netherlands in 2018.
Read now: From SA to the world: Mzansi’s show for success on the international stage in 2024 [VIDEO]
