MAMELA NYAMZA AFRICA MOMENT: Black Privilege

Mamela explores hypocrisy and justice in this work, giving voice to rejected and neglected heroines and artists in the African struggle for independence. The artist moves between a ritual in which she recovers various aspects of women’s strength and a trial in which those in power are asked to answer for their terrifying acts.

Mamela Nyamza tends to transgress borders with the desire to challenge the categorization and limits of any artistic genre. This South African artist is trained in a wide variety of dance modalities, from classical ballet to butoh, with a special focus on traditional dances. As an African and lesbian woman, she has raised her voice against the usual corrective rapes in her country. She has created community projects to help spread the positive influence of dance in South Africa. Her work moves, stirs and raises questions.

Idea, creation, choreography and direction Mamela Nyamza / Performer Mamela Nyamza / Dramaturgy and outstanding artist Sello Pesa / Body painting and costume design Linda Mandela, Sejosingoe / Lighting design Wilhem Disbergen / Production chief Buntu Utyali
An order from Ruhrtriennale / Co-production PACT Zollverein and National Arts Festival (Sud-àfrica)

Conversation after the show