DANCER BRINGS KOBA TO MAITISONG
The eyes of Vincent Sekwati Koko Mantsoe light up as soon as he speaks about his passion for dance and sharing the knowledge that he has amassed over thirty years.
South African born but now based in Paris, the Choreographer and inventor of the KOBA dance style is something of a legend when it comes to the dance space. For two weeks, he has been sharing his knowledge with nine local dancers as part of the Creative Campus Festival with Maitisong eatre. is Friday, April 26th, Batswana will be in for a treat, as they will nally see and witness what the local dancers have amassed from this intricate technique. Also happening on the same evening, will be something of a dream for those who are passionate about dance. Mantsoe will take to the stage, as he performs his solo act titled Izilo ( beast). is event has been made possible through a partnership between Alliance Francaise, Maitisong eatre and Mantsoe. KOBA ( bend) is described as a unique training method developed by Mantsoe, and is grounded on three fundamental elements which is the breath, the cycle of energy in movement and the natural positions of the body. Seeing Mantsoe sharing this intricate technique on Youtube is just spellbinding. Over the years, he has had to learn a tough lesson, and does not share any of his latest works on Youtube. at special privilege is only reserved for the Dance Companies that are willing to pay for his knowledge. He had to take this route after he learnt that some dancers from other parts of the world were copying and claiming his work. e work that you can nd on Youtube by him are mostly short videos, dating back to some years ago. And for those who will be lucky to see what the local dancers have learnt over the past two weeks will be something of a dream. Even more incredible, will be seeing him pour his heart out, taking the audience on a breathtaking journey which he hopes will bring healing to them through Izilo. Style caught up with him on Tuesday afternoon in between his lunch breaks. Still breathless, and oozing with so much, it is not di cult to see why after this many years, he is still as passionate. Speaking in an interview, he explains that he has been in the country, introducing his KOBA technique to nine young dancers. e dancers, he says come from di erent dance disciplines such as Hip Hop, Sbujwa, and others.
On how he came to be part of the event, he shares that he has known the Director of Alliance Francaise for years, their relationship dates back to when Angelique Saverino, the Director was with the Institute of France in Johannesburg. Presently residing in France, he says that the conversation about coming to Botswana started a year ago. “Angelique was keen to expand knowledge as part of the legacy,” he explains. He also says that during the course of the two weeks, he has been teaching the dancers the technique which he developed twenty years ago. “ ey are keen to learn new things,” says Mantsoe.
His advice to the dancers is that they should