Exciting changes are underway for 43-year-old Moving into Dance (MID) as they proudly announce the appointment of Sunnyboy Mandla Motau and Oscar Nhlanhla Buthelezi as joint Associate Artistic Directors.
At an official briefing session, MID Chair, Hilton Lawler said, ‘The nurturing of African leaders is part of MID’s mission, and this appointment speaks to the organic development of Sunnyboy and Oscar who are now ready to move this organisation into a new creative era.’
Sunnyboy Mandla Motau
Hailing from Alexandra, Motau remains invested in the development of his home township through dance, and the belief that dance truly brings hope, as he is proof of that fact. Having joined MID in 2008 as a student, Motau is now a highly commissioned choreographer and sought after facilitator, nationally and internationally. He has won the ImpAct Award for Choreography in 2016 and was also named among the Mail and Guardian’s top 100 young people to watch.
‘If I could say it in words, then there would be no reason to dance. At MID I have grown to be a responsible, artistic being, and a leader. I have learnt to master not only movement and choreography but the teaching and development of dance entrepreneurs through my 13 years here. This appointment is another milestone for me as I continue to grow the MID name as an Associate Artistic Director.’ – Sunnyboy Mandla Motau
Oscar Nhlanhla Buthelezi
If there is a story to be told of how passion and motivation can drive success, then Buthelezi’s story speaks to that point. Having joined MID as a student in 2010, he now has two International Choreography awards under his belt (The Kurt Jooss Choreography Award in 2016 and The Hannover 33 Choreography Competition in 2019), and is a widely commissioned choreographer. His most valued choreographic achievement would be The Color Purple for which he won a Naledi Award in 2019. Hailing from Vosloorus, Buthelezi continues to teach traditional dance in his community and is the lead facilitator for Indlamu at MID.
‘Thank you so much to everyone who saw value in me for the joint position of Associate Artistic Director. I feel so honoured and humbled by this position and the responsibility given. I am open to learn and also give my all to bring colour, shape, and more success to the MID dance company and see MID take the world by storm. Power to MID!’ – Oscar Nhlanhla Buthelezi
Nadia Virasamy, CEO of MID says, ‘I feel honoured that in my time at MID I have seen these young men begin their training at MID and now fill a position that so many aspire to but few achieve. Well done Sunnyboy and Oscar; your hard work, commitment and loyalty has been rewarded.’
