Gontse, a groundbreaking 90-minute contemporary dance choreographic work that founded on true stories of South African women survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The project incorporated young professional dancers that narrated their experiences through powerful, original composition supported by a live band and newly composed music and poetry. The production took place in Johannesburg, with rehearsals at the iconic Market Theatre and public performances at the Soweto Theatre, while partnerships with anti-GBV organisations such as POWA and the Frida Hartley Shelter.
Funded by National Arts Council as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme, the initiative was created to confront GBV in the South African communities connecting the arts as a tool for awareness, education, and social change, and was executed through a collaborative process led by artistic director Disemelo Makhanda, working closely with jazz legend Tlale Makhene and acclaimed choreographer Thandiwe Mqokeli, resulting in a multi-layered performance that blended movement, sound, and lived testimony to spark conversations.
To prioritize emerging artists, seven of the eight dancers in the project were recent graduates from MIDM. This gave them valuable opportunities to work alongside seasoned professionals and gain meaningful industry exposure. In addition, the production created jobs for an artistic director, live band musicians, composers, poets, technical crew, and panel contributors. Gontse, left a lasting imprint on the community by using dance and storytelling to humanise the realities of GBV, reaching 250 engaged audience members and igniting ongoing public dialogue about abuse, rights, and healing in townships and beyond.
If you would like to support Gontse, please feel free to get in touch via email at: sqoproductions@gmail.com
