Sduduzo Ka-Mbili's JUXTAPOWER is honored to finally perform at the United Nations headquarters in NYC on 05-28-2008, celebrating African culture.
Sduduzo Ka-Mbili aka Nunu was born in Engonyameni, a rural area in Durban, South Africa. In 1989, Sduduzo attended a Shell Corporation sponsored program at The University of Natal, where he studied dance and drama, before moving on to join Phenduka Dance Theater, where he received more dance training from Alfred Hinkel (a world-renowned choreographer), who continued training him in Contemporary dance. The following year, he moved to Johannesburg to perform as a dancer, singer, and actor in Mbongeni Ngema’s Sarafina (The Movie), starring Whoopi Goldberg. In 1992, he relocated to Durban to finish school and joined Body and Soul Dance Company, a small troupe that based in the city. He later moved to Cape Town where he continued his training with Alfred Hinkel and performed his first musical, Poison. In 1993, he joined Soweto Dance Theater, directed by the great Jackie Semela (the internationally renowned African dance teacher) and in 1994, he was offered a dance position with Free Flight Dance Company, directed by Adele Blank and Christopher Kindo(the innovators of South African contemporary dance), who also continued to train him in their own dance techniques. In 1997, Sduduzo was one of the three recipients for a full scholarship to train at the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York City. During his training he was given an opportunity to create a piece (Izinhlungu zami) for the Alvin Ailey Repertory Dance Ensemble, which he later performed for the company. It was then that Sduduzo discovered his signature, the Power of Juxta which he eventually developed into a touring production in the USA. He also toured the US with Donald Byrd’s Harlem Nutcracker before resolving establish a song and dance production that would be representative of the South African culture in 1999/2000, JUXTAPOWER. Since then, Sduduzo has been nominated as one of the 25 to watch by DANCE MAGAZINE, in 2003, and his work has been reviewed by the New York Times, Washington Past, and the Village Voice news papers.
Sduduzo has also shared the stage with Alicia Keys, Bono, Gwen Stefanie, Sheryl Crow, Jay Z, David Bowie, Talib Kweli and more. He has performed before the likes of Collin Powell, Presidents Ford, Carter, and Clinton in both New York and Washington DC. His troupe, together with the Lion King cast paid tribute to the legendary Gordon Parks, and has traveled extensively throughout the states.
Sduduzo is also a radio talk-show on SAR-fm radio, as well as producer at WBAI-FM, 99.5 radio in New York City... his proudest accomplishment.
He is also an animal activist and vegetarian, who believes all sentient beings have an inalienable right to life, and they do not have to be killed for food as there is enough for everyone. His hobbies include taking pictures (studied photography at Intec College), swimming, jumping, and writing. he holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Empire State College in New York, and is currently studying towards his Master's degree.
Sduduzo Ka- still resides in New York City where he is currently performing, teaching and doing residencies throughout the country with JUXTAPOWER.
Press review by The Washington Post
"Banjo Clark" (with crisp and charming banjo solos by Mark Schatz)
worked the instrument's alleged African origins a bit too hard. The
accompanying African-flavored dance (choreographed by Sduduzo Ka-mbili)
in loincloth was a bit of a shocker in the midst of jigs, reels and
bouncing curls. Still, it was such a standout and the dancing so skilled
that no one who attended Saturday's concert is likely to ever forget the
Africa-banjo connection.
