Dance community mourns the loss of Dada Masilo

By Venecia Valentine

The death of renowned Soweto-born dancer and choreographer Dada Masilo on 29 December 2024 has left the local and international dance community in shock and grief. Dada, whose revolutionary contributions to contemporary dance redefined genres and challenged norms, passed away at the age of 39. Fans and followers of her work gathered on Friday at the Gibson Kente Theatre, part of the Soweto Theatre complex, for a memorial to honour her life and legacy. 

Dada’s journey in the arts was both illustrious and trailblazing. In December 2024, she was recognised by the City of Joburg as one of 44 artistic icons, with a star embedded in the wall of the Soweto Theatre – a poignant acknowledgment of her contributions ‘at home’. Earlier that month, she received a lifetime achievement award in Italy at the Premio Positano Léonide Massine for the Art of Dance, underscoring her global standing in the dance community. 

She began her career at the Dance Factory in Newtown during the 1990s, emerging as a talent to watch at a remarkably young age. Notably, she captured public attention when she danced for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands at just 11 years old. Her early training at the Johannesburg School of Art, Ballet, and Music laid the foundation for a prolific career, which saw her further hone her craft under the guidance of Alfred Hinkel at Jazzart Dance Theatre, followed by specialised training in Brussels. 

Renowned not only for her technical brilliance but for her fearless spirit, Dada was a catalyst for change. She reimagined beloved ballet masterpieces such as Carmen, Hamlet, The Rite of Spring, and Romeo and Juliet, infusing them with African dance motifs and narratives that redefined their lead female characters. 

Image credit: Dada Masilo Facebook