Dancer Deep Dive: The Moment My Life Pivoted: Dancers Share the Instant They Knew

The Call of the South African Contemporary Body

Every dancer’s path is paved with countless hours of discipline, but every journey is catalyzed by a singular, illuminating moment - a flash of absolute certainty - when the pursuit of movement becomes a profound, non-negotiable destiny.

We look to the journeys of those who have shaped the institution from the inside, individuals whose pivotal moments drove their commitment not just to dance, but to the uniquely South African philosophy of Jazzart.

Sifiso Kweyama: The Power of Context

Sifiso Kweyama is a celebrated alumnus, choreographer, and former Artistic Director of Jazzart. His pivotal moment was rooted in the realization that dance could be a precise tool for cultural and political dialogue.

"I had been dancing for some time, focusing on technique and form, but the work that changed everything was when I danced in Umoya WoMzanzi (The Soul of the South) in 1997. It was an exploration of Xhosa, Zulu, and traditional dance forms woven into a contemporary structure. I suddenly felt the profound difference between moving well and moving with meaning. My body was telling a story that belonged to my community. It wasn't about pleasing an external eye; it was about honoring the history written into my own stance, my own breath. That was the moment—I understood that my purpose was to elevate the South African story through this powerful, grounded language we call Jazzart."

Mziyanda Mancam: The Shift to Creation

Mziyanda Mancam, a renowned choreographer and key contributor to numerous Jazzart productions including Freedom Journey (2015) and Ufundo (2015), found his moment of clarity not in performing, but in leading.

"I had the great privilege of being trained here, but the shift came when I was asked to co-choreograph works that addressed urgent contemporary realities, such as with Biko’s Quest (2012). I was exploring how the principles of Black Consciousness translated into physical movement - how the body, too, must refuse to be oppressed. In the rehearsal room, watching the dancers interpret my vision, I realized my role was moving beyond being the vessel. My purpose became about framing the narrative - to channel the raw, honest energy of the dancers' lived experience into a cohesive, politically resonant message. That realization - that I could be the custodian of the story’s architecture - that was the instant I knew my life's true pivot lay in creation."

These personal journeys affirm the core belief of Jazzart: the dancer’s deepest connection to the art is forged when the physical craft is seamlessly integrated with the human imperative to tell an authentic, South African truth. It is this pursuit of truth that transforms a talented youth into an essential artistic voice.