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BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES: VUYANI DANCE THEATRE (VDT) TRAINEES Mandla Mathonsi: He was with Umntanami Community Theatre Project (Thembisa) in 1999. In 2002 he appeared in Peter Ngwenya's drama production titled 'Korea/Japan'. He went on to join Bongani Linda's Soweto Wing of Victory Sonqoba in 2003. And from there he joined (in 2004) the African Federation of Dramatic Arts where he attended script-writing classes for four months. In 2005 he was at MID taking classes on Afro-fusion dance. In 2006 he was back in drama appearing in Jerry Mofokeng's 'Once an African' (Katlehong Arts Centre). He is currently Acting Director of Afrocentric Theatre Faces which he Founded in February (2006). He is from Tembisa. Esmeralda Machogo: She started with vigorous dancers (1993), training under David Matamela and later became part of the company in a performance that took place at The Dance Factory. From 1995 to 1997 she was with the Creators who were based in Mofolo. Later in 2004 she joined Matamela's Soweto Dance Project (SDP) where she was exposed to choreographers such as Nelisiwe Xaba, Disimelo Khasu and Moeketsi Koena. The works she appeared in with SDP are 'Be My Wife' and 'Gap in Gap'. When she left in 2006 she joined the late George Khumalo's Company Nyakaza and became part of the duet that performed at The Dance Factory during the FNB Dance Umbrella of the same year. The partnership of Nyakaza and Ntsoana Contempary Dance Theatre saw her also appearing in Sello Pesa's 'Extracts of X' and in Khumalo's 'Rituals'. Esme comes from Mofolo, Soweto. Mcebisi Bhayi: Bhayi began dancing with Rhythm Nation in the Eastern Cape (1995). Such was a start that spurred him to( later) be itinerant with an idea of developing his passion. The movement took him to places such as Sun City in the North West and landed him on the Community Dance Teachers Training Programme at Moving Into Dance. He is now facilitator, not only for VDT's Alexandra Outreach but also at Fuba etc. Bhayi was a nominee (2001) for Most Promising Male Dancer in Contemporary Style at the FNB Dance Umbrella. He has also attended workshops conducted by the likes of Alfred Hinkel of Jazzart and Gary Gordon of First Physical Theatre. Bhayi comes from Mdantsane (East London). Thabo Kobeli: Found his way into the dance scene through attending a Learnership Artistic Development Programme in 2003 at Pacofs in Bloemfontein. In 2005 he joined a the Mangaung Dance project where the main practice area was contemporary dance. He went on (in 2006) to engage in community projects where dance and acting were the primary operative concerns. He spent 2007 doing Further Education Training NQF Level 4 at Moving Into Dance Mophatong (MIDM). And he started in the VDT Training Programme on January 9 2008. * For artistic enhancement of the VDT Training Programme , VDT is thankful to Dada Masilo (Standard Bank Young Artist for 2007) and Shaun Mothupi (who is now with a dance company in Belgium) for their creative input. And also to The Dance Factory for the Working Space.

about us

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vuyani trainees

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press

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participants

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