About

The 3rd Kucheza Afrika Festival Live 01-10 March 2022

Following last year’s hybrid (live and online) instalment, which occurred under limiting COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s 100% LIVE programme is themed to “celebrate artists for their resilience in the face of adversity” brought by the pandemic – which saw the arts sector hit hard, leaving scores of artists unable to fully practice.

Inspired by the Swahili word for dance, Kucheza aims to be a platform that will help preserve dance in the country and in Africa and ensure that dancers always have a home at the State Theatre. The festival is SAST’s aspiration to continue serving domestic and continental dance communities, as well as a call to action for Africa to converge as one in its diversity.

Message from Artistic Director :
Mr Aubrey Sekhabi

It’s been two years since we went full-on live! We are grateful for this chance. I am grateful for this opportunity. Many have lost loved ones. I have lost loved ones. I am learning and grappling with grief. It gives me comfort that I can continue to do what makes me whole. It is therefore a pleasure to present the Kucheza Afrika Festival 2022. So much has changed! Our world – the Showbiz world has changed. Today, you can see any piece of art anywhere in the world. Whilst before a piece of dance, theatre, visual arts and literature could just end up in that venue, in that bookstore, in that gallery. I have been to many dance shows, had conversations with my colleagues, sometimes, in fact, often we have asked ourselves what it meant? 

It kept on being different interpretations, based on our artistic gut, now we can now we can unpack it, present conversations, consistently through our programs. Onset gives you just that – unpacking the ideas, ideals, visions, creativity and LIFE. Nevertheless, it is still great to be back on, LIVE!

What a privilege to be full-on Live in the 3rd instalment with a celebration of Vincent Koko Sekoati Mantsoe’s 30th anniversary in dance celebration – to have the world-celebrated son of the soil at home, at the Theatre for Africa is a major feat. Not only will he be premiering Koma at Kucheza, he will also be celebrated by his peer, David April with his rendition of Barena – paying homage to Mantsoe. Dance greats Gregory Maqoma’s Ketima and Luyanda Sidiya’s Trilogy are also on the buffet. The dance community is spoilt for choice – Kristi Leigh, Helge Letonje, Teresa Mojela and Julia Burnham also are gracing our stages – we are spoilt for choice with both veterans and young artists. I urge the patrons to come and experience the 3rd instalment, with a Trilogy and most importantly – a 30 years celebrations. I present to you the Kucheza Afrika Festival 2022. It is exciting, full of experience, celebrations, repetitions and young artists. It is waiting to be unleashed.

This is the true launch of Kucheza 2022. #ChezaAfrika