Dada Masilo leaves an indelible mark on dance

Soweto-born dancer and choreographer, Dada Masilo, passed away at the age of 39 on December 29, after a brief illness.

Masilo was born on February 21, 1985.

She entered the dance industry as an 11-year-old in 1996 when Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands invited her to dance for her.

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She attended the National School of Arts and matriculated in 2002.

A year later, she trained at Jazzart Dance Theatre under the apprenticeship of Alfred Hinkel to prepare for her training at P.A.R.T.S (Performing Arts Research and Training Studios) in Brussels, Belgium.

During her career, she collaborated with William Kentridge, Ann Masina, Albert Silindokuhle Ibokwe Khoza, David April, PJ Sabbagha and Gregory Maqoma.

Her work is distinguished by her fearlessness and she was known to perform the great ballet classics of Carmen, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet.

She effectively changed the shape and appearance of contemporary dance in South Africa.

Masilo was recognised for her unique presence onstage. She danced with various companies and in a solo capacity.

The Gauteng Arts and Culture MEC Award Judges celebrated her as the Most Promising Female Dancer in a Contemporary Style in 2006. In 2008, at 22 years old, she received the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Dance.

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The City of Johannesburg recently acknowledged her as one of the 44 ‘artistic icons in the City of Gold’ with a star embedded into the wall of the Soweto Theatre.

At the time of her unexpected passing, she was working on a new autobiographical solo piece about the loss of loved ones.

The Masilo family have requested privacy in honour of Dada’s memory at this tragic time.

They will soon announce the arrangements for a memorial service.