ASPIRING and experienced dancers will have the rare opportunity to learn from some of the world’s leading contemporary dance artists when the 28th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience returns to Durban from August 25 to September 6.

Presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at UKZN, this year’s festival will feature an international and South African line-up of choreographers and dance companies performing at the Sneddon Theatre, Square Space Theatre, Stable Theatre and the KZNSA Gallery.

Complementing the main performance programme, JOMBA! will once again open its studio doors for a series of free workshops, giving dancers direct access to the techniques, philosophies and creative processes of internationally acclaimed artists visiting Durban.

The workshops will be hosted at the UKZN Howard College Campus Dance Studio and are open to dancers aged 16 and older. Although attendance is free, booking is essential as space is limited.

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This year’s programme features an impressive line-up of artists from SA, France, Nigeria, Ireland, Spain and Jamaica.

South African choreographer PJ Sabbagha, JOMBA!’s 2026 Legacy Artist, will lead an improvisation workshop centred on listening to oneself, fellow dancers and the surrounding space.

Fresh from receiving the Silver Lion Award at the 2026 Venice Biennale, acclaimed choreographer Mamela Nyamza will present her Body & Sound workshop, encouraging participants to use the body as both a physical and vocal instrument.

Internationally renowned dancer Vincent Mantsoe will introduce participants to his KOBA Technique, described as a form of “physical meditation” that blends traditional and contemporary movement in an exploration of identity.

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Award-winning choreographer Mufutau Yusuf from Nigeria and Ireland will present Your Own Groove, an inclusive improvisation workshop designed for dancers of all experience levels.

Spanish company Iron Skulls Co., together with Tebby Ramasike, will guide participants through an energetic fusion of Theatrical Breakin’ and Afro-Butoh accompanied by live music.

Completing the public programme, Jamaican dance pioneer Dr L’Antoinette Stines will lead a workshop in her internationally recognised L’Antech technique, drawing on Kumina, Bruckins, Nyabinghi, Dancehall and other Afro-Caribbean traditions alongside L’Acadco dancers and drummers.

The festival will also include two closed educational sessions. Ugandan dance artist Joseph Tebandeke will work with UKZN’s third-year dance students on access and belonging in dance practice, while the Introdans Education Team from the Netherlands will share dance education methodologies with trainee teachers at UKZN’s Edgewood Campus and young dancers from the KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre.

For information and bookings, email 2024jomba@gmail.com or visit the JOMBA! website.

Workshops schedule
Venue: UKZN Howard College Campus, Drama and Performance Studies Dance Studio

August 26 (16:30–18:00): PJ Sabbagha – Improvisation Workshop
August 27 (16:30–18:00): Mamela Nyamza – Body & Sound
August 28 (16:30–18:00): Vincent Mantsoe – KOBA Technique
August 29 (10:00–11:30): Mufutau Yusuf – Your Own Groove
September 1 (16:30–18:00): Iron Skulls Co. with Tebby Ramasike
September 2 (16:30–18:00): Dr L’Antoinette Stines – L’Antech Technique

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