Sikhumbuzo Competes
Meet Sikhumbuzo Hlaheni, who hails from Kheyalitsha, is proudly South African, and will be competing in the South African International Ballet Competition on July 3rd, 2020 performing Solar’s variation from La Bayadere and a contemporary solo Valorious, choreographed by Grant Van Ster. Sikhumbuzo dedicates his performance to Kirvan Fortuin, a close friend whose untimely death has impacted so many, especially in the dance community where he was known and loved.
Sikhumbuzo’s journey to the stage started at Dance For All, where he first learned and grew to love ballet and was inspired to push out of his comfort zone. His training continued at Cape Academy of Performing Arts, where he studied dance, drama and Musical Theatre, and then at Joburg Ballet where he trained and performed.
In 2019, The Gugulethu Ballet Project, a non-profit organization headed by former ABT soloist Kristine Elliott, arranged for Sikhumbuzo to attend the Kaatsbaan Ballet summer intensive in New York.
“My time there was hard, but through it all I got to learn more ballet technique,” Sikhumbuzo reflects. “One of the best moments there was dancing with the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company. I enjoyed my classes with Kevin McKenzie and coaching by Sasha Radetsky and Stella Abrera. It was an unforgettable experience in my life.” Kristine remarks, “Kaatsbaan really opened up Sikhumbuzo’s horizons! Such a productive time of big growth for him!”
Upon his return to South Africa, Sikhumbuzo joined Kirvan Fortuin’s show Katrina and worked with Dirk Badenhorst, founder of Mzansi Ballet, eventually traveling with Badenhorst to Brazil to perform Bengingazi and Harlequinade.
He now looks forward to competing in the South African International Ballet Competition, which will be held online this year, over video, due to COVID-19 concerns.
“I’m extremely excited” says Sikhumbuzo. “I’m inspired by the great dancers before me, like Mthuthuzeli November, Andile Ndlovu and Thoriso Magongwa. We all come from similar backgrounds and pathways. They encourage me to continue to strive for greatness and strength in life as a dancer. I’d like to say thanks to Dance for All for allowing me to use their studio space and a huge thank you to Kristine Elliott who has guided my journey thus far. I appreciate all you’ve done.”
More information on The South African International Ballet Competition can be at https://www.saibc.com/