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Prolific Dancer/Choreographer Themba Dredz Mbuli died at the tender age of 33. (Photo: Dance JOMBA!/ Supplied)
Award-winning dancer/choreographer Themba Dredz Mbuli passed away on 18 January after short illness, at the tender age of 33.
A recipient of the 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist Award, Mbuli used his to body to speak to his environment. Born in Zola, Soweto, he co-founded the Broken Borders Arts Project with Thulani Chauke and Fana Shabalala. He died in Cape Town,
where he had co-founded UnMute Dance Company, a platform for artists living with disability.
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I first met Themba Dredz Mbuli as a young dancer at Moving Into Dance (now MIDM), in Newtown, Johannesburg, where he was nurtured by dance makers like Sylvia Glasser. In conversation with Themba, it was revealed that he channelled his anger and the challenges of his youth through physical activity. He joined a Sowetan music and drama group as a teen, which ignited his passion for stor
Death of premier dancer Themba Mbuli stuns colleagues 19 January 2021 - 14:48 Image: SYDELLE WILLOW SMITH
Award-winning contemporary dancer and choreographer Themba “Dredz” Mbuli has passed away after a short illness.
Mbuli, 33, died on Monday in Cape Town where he was based, according to business partner and friend Fana Shabalala. Mbuli whose profile both locally and internationally was established has been praised for his extraordinary talent and for making sure that dance was accessible to all people.
The 2016 Standard Bank Young Artist Award recipient distinguished himself in the dance arena with his thought-provoking works that tackled social issues.
Shabalala, who co-owned Broken Borders Arts Project with Thulani Chauke and Mbuli, described the late dancer as highly talented. He said Mbuli decided to focus on serious dance development after establishing his profile as a dancer.