International dance star creates platform for arts
INTERNATIONAL star Sonwa Sakuba has returned to his home soil to give back to his community after his success in New York theatres.
The 27-year-old Sakuba said after receiving aid from sponsors in New York and all over the world he has started the Sonwa Sakuba Performing Arts Foundation, a non-profit organisation that is aimed at creating sustainable platforms within the arts for the youth and artists from all communities.
“It is exciting because I can now give back to the community that gave so much to me. I am opening up a dance school offering after-school classes for students in ballet, modern, tap, the Graham technique and the Horton technique.”
The classes will be taking place in Cambridge, Selborne, Southernwood and Mdantsane.
The old Selbornian, who hails from Cambridge, said he has always loved the performing arts.
“Throughout my school career, I developed a great hunger and passion for the arts and the stage and honed my skills and trained in music, drama and dance. My passion grew to the point where I was actually enrolled at all the major dance studios in East London, doing all disciplines, such as ballet, modern, tap and hip-hop.”
After matriculating from Selborne College, he enrolled at the Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town.
Some of the shows in which Sakuba has performed, include: Hairspray, African Footprint (international tour),
A Chorus Line, Signal High (SABC2 Season 1 and 2), Joseph (national and international tour), the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, the American series True Blood (as season 1 choreographer), West Side Story, and Footloose.
He has also featured in a British Airways commercial.
In 2015, Sakuba enrolled at the world-famous Broadway Dance Centre as part of their International Student Visa Programme (ISVP).
“During my time there, I trained and performed with some of the greatest dancers and teachers, such as Rachelle Rak, Yanis Marshall, Lane Napper, Danielle Polanco, South African Broadway legend Amra Faye Wright and many more.
“I was also awarded a full scholarship and school intern position at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance.”
After returning to South Africa in April, Sakuba said he is set on his goal of playing a role in grooming East London talent.
“The Sonwa Sakuba Performing Arts Foundation will provide world-class training and mentoring, an emphasis on the creation of original works and techniques, and a creative and open performance environment for the development of arts and culture at all levels and ages,” he said.
People interested in signing up to join, can send an e-mail to sonwasakuba@gmail.com for information regarding classes, registration and the rates per class.