#southafricandancers

[its-esoteric]

Practicing the art of empathy

How often do black girls get to meet their role models? Once? Hardly? Or not often enough. I would have to go with the latter. Sitting in an audience made up of fashion students, media representatives and other curious members of the creative industry, I was pleasantly surprised when I recognised one of South Africa’s black ballet dancers sitting in the panel of African creatives.

With little to no information about who would be participating in the African Fashion International Masterclasses, all the information that propagated the AFI’s social media platforms had everything to do with the fashion shows and nothing to do with the masterclasses. Alas, I soon realised that I would be meeting, for the very first time, my role model. Renowned prima ballerina Kitty Phetla sat alongside fashion designer Sibusiso Mahone, visual artist Loyiso Mkhize, media personality Lee Kasumba and Nontando Mposo who facilitated day two of the AFI Masterclass titled Creative’s Corner.

As a former ballet dancer who dedicated 15 years of her life to dance studios including the South African Ballet Theatre, now as an independent curator, my interest in a Creative’s Corner Masterclass  has more to do with enriching my own sense of African culture, beyond the museum and gallery spaces.

So my curiosity was met with much surprise as I saw someone I resonated with, artistically, sitting in on the panel. Amid a lively conversation about the challenges of supporting local versus buying international, ballet dancer Kitty Phetla gave us all a taste of humble pie. She stripped the pretty and flawless persona of the artist sitting in front of us and gently served us with a dose of heart-breaking reality, which none of us saw us coming.

Responding to a question about how she deals with personal difficulty affecting her career, Kitty Phetla gave us an honest response which touched on an important conversation that we as black womxn hardly speak of, mental health. After losing her mother and brother almost three years ago, she still carries the trauma of that loss today. To quote fellow panellist Lee Kasumba, artists are the closest beings to God. And it is because of their willingness to give into vulnerability that makes their craft so great. However, just like everyone else, they go through hardships and moments of self-doubt which directly affect the quality of their craft.

As such, in these current conditions where most social gatherings have been cancelled due to COVID -19, it is important to be empathetic towards artists. Yes, everyone is feeling a little frustrated at being cooped up indoors, so let’s extend this empathetic gesture to each other and our artists who give us outstanding performances on stage as well as much needed comfort at home through movies, music and books.

So yes, on this day, this black girl met her role model and it was even better than I expected because from one black womxn to another, I can only stan at seeing successful representations of black womxn who, just like me, don’t have it all together all the time.

Remember there is power in vulnerability!

Esoteric babe Lethabo xx

[jaredbaboo]

“To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful… This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking” . . Inframe @jordanroelfze of @capetowncityballet . . #dance #jette #dancer #maledancer #ctcb #balletboy #southafricandancers #capetowndancer #capetown #jump #art #ballerino #dancersofinstagram #dancersofig #dancemannequins #balletphotography #balletdancer #photographer #capetownphotographer #gramslayers #killaframez #photoshoot #moodygrams #moodyports #lockdown #quarantine (at Lockdown) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-6VqM3JaC0/?igshid=dx74an0vbvno

[lungameni]

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A post shared by Peter L Peter (@iampeterlpeter)

What a prophetic way to end #imtabootcamp2020 with a drone shot ascending to the heavens and us reaching out to touch it. This is symbolic of the pursuit of our dreams. We are reaching to the skies with so much excitement, united in love and purpose. Keep following our journey. We've got lots of stories to tell and a world to inspire. SEE YOU AT THE TOP. #imtabootcamp2020 #chasingdreams #imta2020 #newyork #anactorprepares #33andme #thefaceofartsafrica2019 #thefaceofartsafrica #southafricantalent #southafricanmodels #southafricansingers #southafricandancers #art #acting #dancers #singers #models (at Paradeisos Outdoor Venue) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7REsxlB6Xc/?igshid=6r0b2wvgwdcn

[thamsanqayawathe]

So touching that such a young girl is so in love with her culture. May the community of South Africa support such. The money that you spend on promoting alcohol by doing events, take the same money and invest it into such. #Africanchild #Africantalent #Africaingoodhands #Africanculture #tsonga #southafricandancers (at Krugersdorp Library) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0qNxs7l-fC/?igshid=9aninwrimpeb

[kullijaygh]

Going on still in Ghana @OsikaClubHouse 🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭 @queendarleen_ @queen_darleen4real @diamond_tweets 👌💖🎆✌🎤🎸🎸🎤🎹🎊 #spain #american #streetdance #allo #allomuzik #allodanny #kul #kul_gang #KulliJay_fram_Ghana #dope #records #dopefam #recordingstudio #musiclifestyle #musiclife #particular #southafrica #africandance #southafricandancers #afrodancers #zylofonmedia #zylo #zyl #africa #majorlazer #bambi @kwabena_kb @hiradionl @Danceteratv @WorldAfroDance @welove2dancetv

[jaredbaboo]

Why fit in when you were born to stand out? . . Inframe @jordanroelfze of @capetowncityballet . . . #dance #balletboy #dancer #naturallight #jette #bluesky #photoshoot #balletdancer #capetowndancer #capetownphotographer #ballet_instagram #dance_lover #ctcb #lockdown2020 #southafricandancers #igers #dancersofinstagram #dancersofig #splits #jump #gramslayers #i̇nstagood #killacam #killaframez (at In Lockdown) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-37fyKpiQt/?igshid=1vhz66wgndq1v

[jaredbaboo]

Dancing is creating a sculpture that is visible only for a moment. . . Inframe: @simonewelgemoed . . . #ballerina #dancer #dance #ballet #art #studio #danceart #performingarts #capetown #southafricandancers #dancemannequins #dancersofig #ballerinasofinstagram #ballerinastyle #chiffon #materialgirl #material #studiophotography #studiophoto (at Paarl, Western Cape) https://www.instagram.com/p/B67bCN4Jdt4/?igshid=1rqfrx6brfobo

[jaredbaboo]

Learn to dance, otherwise the angels in heaven won’t know what to do with you. . . Inframe @simonewelgemoed . . . . #ballerina #attitude #dance #beautiful #dance_mannequins #dancemannequins #dancer #southafricanwomen #southafricandancers #pointeshoes #tutuskirt #ballet #dancersofinstagram #dancersofig #ballerinasofinstagram #studio #balletdancer #danceballet #summervibes #summerofdance #fun #love #art #performingarts (at Kloof Street) https://www.instagram.com/p/B65BaE8ptre/?igshid=1wmwriw8v9vx1

[jaredbaboo]

When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way. . . . . Inframe @paigeyinnes a student @performingartscapa . . . #dancer #dancer #artist #CAPA #performingarts #love #ballet #pointeshoes #naturallybeautiful #ballerina #pretty #pointeshoesandtutus #ballerina_posed #instagood #dancersofig #ballerinasofig #capetown #southafricandancers #movement (at South Africa(cape Town)) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6cOhNTpTfr/?igshid=1e0zki5r9ab8r

[jaredbaboo]

Through synergy of intellect, artistry and grace came into existence the blessing of a dancer. . . Inframe @nicolalubbe @capetowncityballet at a rehearsal for the current production on “A Christmas Carol” . . #ballet #dance #tippytoe #enpointe #ballerina #dancersofinstagram #dancersofig #ballerinasofig #ballerina_posed #capetown #ctcb #capetowncityballet #southafricandancers #capetowndance #instapretty #instagood #dailydanceoff #pretty #prettyballerinas #pointeshoes #stage (at Artscape Opera House) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6KZsYnpK4v/?igshid=15m5afmacl2xl

[jaredbaboo]

Through synergy of intellect, artistry and grace came into existence the blessing of a dancer. . . . Inframe @nicolalubbe @capetowncityballet taken at a rehearsal for the current season of “A Christmas Carol” . . . . #ballerina #ballet #dance #balletdancer #pointeshoe #pretty #prettyballerinas #dancersofinstagram #dancepose #southafricandancers #stage #artist #ctcb #danceart #dancephotography #capetown #dancecapetown #capetowndancers #cotyballet #capetowncityballet #companydancer #tippytoes #tippytoetuesday (at Artscape Opera House) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6KUJCkpnwc/?igshid=nz1hkjkhh6k0

[jaredbaboo]

“I skipped between the dancers, twirling my skirts. The seated, masked musicians didn’t look up at me as I leaped before them, dancing in place. No chains, no boundaries — just me and the music, dancing, and dancing.” - Sarah J. Maas . . . Inframe artists of the @capetowncityballet @marietteopperman @xolaputye @luckylegseleven and Marcel Meyer in the current production of A Christmas Carol at the @artscapetheatre . . . #dickens #achristmascarol #charlesdickens #ballet #ballerina #prima #primaballerina #dance #capetown #capetowndancers #southafricandancers #ctcb #capetowncityballet #balletdancer #balletphotography #ballet_soul #ballerinasofinstagram #igdancers #dancersofig #dressrehearsal #stage #artistsoninstagram (at Artscape Opera House) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Gl4GFJd_Z/?igshid=1jx6yb7tkoegv

[jaredbaboo]

𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓷 𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓭, 𝓸𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓮𝓭𝓰𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓽����𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓷𝓭, 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓭 𝓫𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓸𝓷. . . . . Inframe @gingeri_snap . . . . . . #ballerina #dance #dancer #balletdancer #dancersofinstagram #enpointe #love #fun #ballerinaproject #dancerslife #dancerspose #naturallight #gramslayers #kdportraitvision #dancephotography #dancerspose #dancersworld #capetowndancers #southafricandancers #wcw #womancrushwednesday #womancrush #womancrusheveryday (at Cape Town CBD, Western Cape) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1aj8MSJW1D/?igshid=1c0qy2kkihx25

[kullijaygh]

Lifestyle On The Road Album On Da Way #Ghanaslave 👌💖🎆✌🎤🎸🎸🎤🎹🎊 #spain #american #streetdance #allo #allomuzik #allodanny #kul #kul_gang #KulliJay_fram_Ghana #dope #records #dopefam #recordingstudio #musiclifestyle #musiclife #particular #southafrica #africandance #southafricandancers #afrodancers #zylofonmedia #zylo #zyl #africa #majorlazer #bambi @kwabena_kb @hiradionl @Danceteratv @WorldAfroDance @kisses_lilmaad @allo_muzik @algirex1 @apyagh @welove2dancetv (at Osika Club House)

[kullijaygh]

New Banger @allomaadjoa feat Kulli Jay - #pará 👌💖🎆✌🎤🎸🎸🎤🎹🎊 #spain #american #streetdance #allo #allomuzik #allodanny #kul #kul_gang #KulliJay_fram_Ghana #dope #records #dopefam #recordingstudio #musiclifestyle #musiclife #particular #southafrica #africandance #southafricandancers #afrodancers #zylofonmedia #zylo #zyl #africa #majorlazer #bambi @kwabena_kb @hiradionl @Danceteratv @WorldAfroDance @kisses_lilmaad @allo_muzik @algirex1 @apyagh @welove2dancetv

[kullijaygh]

Soo Dope From South Africa Dance Crew in Soweto Lovely and Interesting Dance 💖🎸💖✌💖😂😂😂😂👌😂😂😂😂😂 #KOOPE Link in my Bio #spain #american #streetdance #allo #allomuzik #allodanny #kul #kul_gang #KulliJay_fram_Ghana #dope #records #dopefam #recordingstudio #musiclifestyle #musiclife #particular #southafrica #africandance #southafricandancers #afrodancers #zylofonmedia #zylo #zyl #africa #majorlazer #bambi