© Anna Morris/AnnaShoots.com

Press Comments

David Bowie, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Jay-Z, Clive Davis and Mike Mills of R.E.M. all made their way into New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom last night for the Black Ball, an event sponsored by Keep a Child Alive to honor Bono, British actor Nick Reding and Dr. Pasquine Ogunsaya — individuals who’ve contributed significantly to the furthering of AIDS education and prevention in Africa. The event — part honors banquet, part pop concert — opened with thundering drums and hyper-kinetic dancing from Zulu troupe JUXTAPOWER, whose lunges and kicks jump-started an evening that was long on both sentiment and showmanship
Rolling Stone Magazine

DANCE MAGAZINE'S
25 TO WATCH for 2003

Each New Year Dance Magazine welcomes readers with a tempting array of delectable; Twenty-five dancers, companies, choreographers, or trends that we believe will make you sit and take notice. SDUDUZO KA-MBILI with his JUXTAPOWER is one of them.

Sduduzo Ka-Mbili
(SOUTH AFRICA PERSONIFIED)
Dancer, choreographer & composer Sduduzo Ka-Mbili is a one-man celebration of South African dance and music. The work he makes for his ensemble, JUXTAPOWER overflows its fierce dancing, humour, and generosity of spirit. Ka-Mbili's performance electrifies with his passion for movement and rhythm. Combining gumboot and Zulu forms with Modern technique and tap, Ka-Mbili, 28, crafts an empowering vision of a culture under represented in the United States, a vibrant heritage of indigenous music, dance, and visual arts, and literature often wrongly reduced to images of a nation ravaged by poverty, apartheid and AIDS.

Born in Durban, South Africa, Sduduzo first came to U.S. in 1997 on a scholarship to the ALVIN AILEY DANCE CENTER. He has since performed in Donald Byrd's Harlem Nutcracker, among other projects. He now teaches Zulu, gumboot, and contemporary techniques at various studios in New York City. JUXTAPOWER plans tour in 2003.
Chris Dohse, Village Voice

“Sduduzo Ka-Mbili's Juxtapower unexpectedly juxtaposed various styles of movement in Izigqi Zezizwe (rhythms of nations), a ferocious warrior dance that showcased the Juxtapower of South African dance culture. Jack Anderson, The New York Times

Oct. 25, NYC – U2 frontman Bono was honored by the Keep a Child Alive charity at Manhattan’s Hammerstein Ballroom, who acclaimed the singer’s “groundbreaking and crucial work in the AIDS movement” at the organization’s annual fundraising ball. Sheryl Crow, David Bowie, Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, veteran record executive Clive Davis and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong were among the notables in attendance, while event musical director Alicia Keys livened up the evening by previewing a slate of songs from her upcoming As I Am album after Zulu drum ‘n’ dance troupe JUXTAPOWER fired up the crowd with their rousing rythms. Bono’s fellow honorees at the event were actor Nick Reding, founder of Sponsored Arts For Education, Kenya, and Dr. Pasquine Ogunsaya of Uganda’s Alive Medical Services.
By Jerry McCulley

“One of the biggest highlights at the British Virgin Island's Miss World Pageant included a magical performance by Juxtapower (South Africa's song and dance), lead by Sduduzo Ka-Mbili, a choreographer and dancer who mesmerized the audience.”Terry Donovan, The Stand Point News

Juxtapower, a South African dance troupe was an ideal follow-up to Magbana. Izigqi Zezizwe was the scene-stealing signature performance that made audience members sit back in their seats and take notice. Costumed in a prehistoric caveman motif, the symmetry and lines of the dancers’ bodies would motivate most to head to the nearest gym. The razor-sharp kicks to either side of the male dancers’ heads were awe-inspiring. Wondering how they were able to balance themselves, not fall backward, and keep time to the music might have crossed many minds in the audience. Sduduzo Ka-Mbili and his brother Solomon Bafana Matea, by the end of their performance had new female fans and envious men who would no longer put off getting back into shape. It was an overall powerful performance – funky, hip, and traditional; with original music by Sduzduzo, Tomas, and Lucky Dube.
Harlem Writer

“Of many standout performances, three were particularly resonant. Sduduzo Ka-Mbili's Juxtapower incandescent dancing highlighted his Izigqi Zezizwe, a quartet of ritual intensity.” Chris Dohse, Village Voice

THE JOHNSONIAN
Got Zulu?'South African Dance troupe comes to WU
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Take some dance, song and sketch humor, blend it with a little drama and add in South Africa's theatrical tradition and you'll get Juxtapower, a form of South African song and dance. Juxtapower will be coming to Winthrop Friday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. in Tillman Auditorium. The group originated in 1999 from a New York City production of song and dance. First started by Sduduzo Ka-Mbili and later joined by his brother Bafana Matea, the group purpose was to encourage diverse heritage of the country through theatrical expression.
"We're storytellers," Ka-Mbili said. Ka-Mbili hopes that Juxtapower will entertain people as well as promote South African culture and heritage. "We want to get people interested in African affairs and get them talking about the problems over there, such as AIDS," Ka-Mbili said. Ka-Mbili believes that the group's showcase is new and revolutionary and is nothing audiences have ever seen before. "We're really, really good," Ka-Mbili said. "On Thursday we opened for Alicia Keys, Sheryl Crow and Gwen Stefani, and our performance was just brilliant. We had people on their knees."
Boyd Jones, director of student programing, thought that the group would bring something new and unique to campus. "I think that if you're a student who grew up in rural S.C. you wouldn't have exposure to a South African dance group," Boyd said. "This is a way to open their minds to something different, instead of the same old, same old they're used to."
By Shatesha Scales

“Footworks' guest artist Sduduzo Ka-Mbili from Juxtapower offered a breath taking solo dance in Banjo Clark, a tribute to African influence in the American musical culture.”
Washington Post Several choreographers emphasized emotional intensity, like Sduduzo Ka-Mbili of JUXTAPOWER, who danced “Izinhlungu Zami” a solo in which he appeared to embody mighty forces of nature. Jack Anderson, New York Times

"Life is a mysterious force ..." This line, backed by realistic nature and animal sound effects, opened the Juxtapower African song and dance performance in the Nelly Goletti Theater on Thursday, Feb. 17.

Juxtapower, a group of three men and two women, are all from South Africa and currently practice their song and dance routine in New York City. Founded by Sduduzo Ka-Mbili in late 1999, Juxtapower is a project created to showcase the rich and diverse culture of South Africa through dance and song.
Sduduzo Ka-Mbili's main vision for this project is to entertain as well as educate audiences about the wealth of talent and culture that Africa has to offer.
With a unique blend of dance, chants, song, and rhythmic drum beats,Juxtapower brought diversity to the Marist College activity scene. Beginning with a look at the dangers of gold mining in Africa, the audience journeyed by song, dance and drum solos, getting a feel for the town life in South Africa.A brief historical lesson on Nelson Mandella as well as the Apartheid and its effects on the people were also depicted.Ending powerfully with dazzling dance moves, and the traditional African costumes added flair to the performers.

Students in attendance showed great appreciation for the Juxtapower performance. Junior Kara Varga said, "It was unlike anything I have ever seen or heard at Marist." Those that have taken advantage of Marist's abroad program and visited Africa also showed a great deal of interest in this performance. "I thought it was great," said senior Mike Lecours. "I went with the group of friends I went abroad with, and the dances were similar in style to what we saw when we were in South Africa."
Review by Angela De fini

“South Africa losses one of its great talents to the United States' Alvin Ailey Dance Center for a year's long training. Sduduzo Ka-Mbili and two others beat over 100 hopefuls at the Civic Theater.” Zandile Nkutha, The Star

Step Africa’s guest artist Sduduzo Ka-Mbili, originally from Durban South Africa, and of late at the helm of his own company in New York contributed a robust solo, ”JUXTAPOWER” that emoted themes of bondage and freedom. Lisa Traiger, The Washington Post The accompanying African flavoured dance (choreographed by Sduduzo Ka-Mbili) in a loincloth was a bit of a shocker in the midst of jiggles, reels, and bouncing curls, still it was such a standout and the dancing so skilled that no one who attended Saturday’s concert is luckily to ever forget the African Banjo Clark. Michael Routh, Washington Post

JUXTAPOWER at the Cox Auditorium
Thursday, October 18, 2007 issue...
Ballet, sketch humor, stepping and hip-hop merge into “JUXTAPOWER: South African Dance and Song.” Sponsored by the Black Cultural Programming Committee, the International House and the Cultural Attractions Committee, “Juxtapower” will perform on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the James R. Cox Auditorium of the Alumni Memorial Building. The troupe of New York-based dancers have performed for Presidents Clinton, Ford and Carter as well as collaborated with Disney’s stage version of “The Lion King,” according to the group’s official Web site. “We do lectures and guest speakers, but we try to bring in a music group or a dance group every semester,” said Brittany Lacy, a senior in legal studies and team leader of the BCPC. “We want to expose students to the arts, too. That’s why we decided on ‘JUXTAPOWER’ — because it’s so multicultural, so diverse. It’s not just singing, and it’s not just dancing. They’re doing a plethora of different things.” “JUXTAPOWER” is an exchange between the viewers and the performers. They highlight many different aspects of South Africa, mixing in various elements of the culture. “They will be doing gumbooting, which is a South African ... miners’ dance, and they’ll do a little stepping, which is, of course, where stepping originated from,” Lacy said. “There will be some ballet and they’ll also be doing a Zulu warrior dance.” “Juxtapower” contains educational value, chronicling the history of the South African people and lessons about the land, and blessings the people have received thanks to the establishment of a new democratic government. “They base their dancing on storytelling. It’s all about their struggle and it’s important that students get the chance to understand that,” said LaNiecha Evans, a sophomore in retail and consumer science and a member of the BCPC. The event is free of charge and open to the public, but students are especially encouraged to come out and take part in a unique learning experience. “We want the students to ... better appreciate South Africa,” said Evans, who also believes in the positive effects that “stepping outside of the box” can have on UT students especially. “It’s important to expose students to different cultures and to different artists through song and dance,” Lacy said. “Some students, when they get here, they place themselves in a box. We want to expose them to a cultural that’s different from their own. Our main goal, I would say, is cultural appreciation.”
Melody Gordon - Daily Beacon


This article was written on February 07, 2007
Dancers of Juxtapower, dressed in native African garb, enthusiastically meet members of the audience after a high-energy show.
The sound effects of booming African drums and chirping birds transformed Kemper Auditorium into a small community in South Africa. Juxtapower introduced Andover students to the spirited native dance and history of South Africa.
Although the crowd was small, the students and faculty present were enthusiastic and eager to learn more about Juxtapower. Conveying the vibrant culture of historical and modern South Africa, the group’s act featured a mix of languages and art mediums.
Dean of Faculty Temba Maqubela said, “They were authentic and it would have been wonderful if more members of the community had had a chance to witness this aspect of history of the South African people.”
The founders of Juxtapower created the group in 1999 with the intent of increasing cultural exchange between American and African countries. The six incredibly talented performers joined together to express the roots of South African culture through a theatrical performance. The show now includes a skillful blend of acting, singing, and dancing.
Performer Sandile Mbili said, “We are very technically trained and have danced all over the world. There wasn’t enough representation of South Africa in this industry, so we decided to put something together.”
Members of the group, though raised in different parts of the world, are dedicated to the same goals of spreading the beauty of South African art.
The members of Juxtapower displayed a striking sense of pride for the country and culture they represented. Juxtapower is committed to changing the negative vision of their home.
In the mid-90’s, South Africa finally dismantled its apartheid system, giving the vote and raising civil rights standards for millions of blacks. Nelson Mandela led the African National Congress in gaining political power for the new black voters.
While the performers admitted that South Africa still faces many obstacles, they reminded audiences, “South Africa has been free only a couple of years and has made much progress and is very accomplished.” They noted South Africa’s Nobel Prize winners as an example.
However, while South Africans are “happy to be politically free,” they must now work toward economic freedom. For this, they call for international recognition and support. Though it may be an uphill battle, the members of Juxtapower are optimistic.
As the performance began, one of the six dancers proclaimed, “This is our story!” The lights dimmed and a steady drumbeat emerged out of the darkness. When the lights flickered on, the performers portrayed exhausted workers toiling in a gold mine.
The dance that followed represented the new style of dance that South African miners’ created, called Gumboots. This style of dance, influenced by the workers’ frustration with poor working conditions and low wages, eventually gave rise to Stepping, a modern style of dance. The show also featured Zulu, an ancient warrior dance.
Audience member Brittany Achin said, “It was cool the way they incorporated Zulu dance with hip-hop!”
English instructor Seth Bardo added,“I thought the piece that replicated the miners’ movements was terrific.”
To further the cultural exchange, the performers invited audience members on stage to learn a routine from the show. Students and few adventurous adults worked with performer Charmaine Trotman to experience an early form of stepping.
Aside from showcasing these various types of native dance, the performers also featured their musical skills. Two of the performers showed the similarities of modern rap and South African rap, when they did a parody of American rap by impersonating Eminem and Snoop Dog. After this entertaining imitation, they reclaimed their own cultural identity by rapping in their native languages.
Juxtapower did more to integrate their South African art and Western pop culture by performing the “Zulu of James Brown.” On the other hand, sometimes their mixes were not as seamless when a traditional South African dance was awkwardly interrupted by plies and pirouettes.
Although all the performers have extensive experience in Western dance, ranging from ballet to modern dance, they were all dismayed by a vacancy of South African dance in the international realm of performing arts.
Edwin Diaz, president of Af-Lat-Am said, “Af-Lat-Am invited Juxtapower to represent African culture using two of the most free forms of expression; music and dance. The audience members were able to experience African culture in person.”

Performer Bafana Matea concluded, “We want to portray our world. Our main goal is to get it out there as much as possible and to reach out to as many people as possible. This culture is glorious and we want to share it with the world.”

Nancy Ann Little & Anisah Gi
The Philipian

© Anna Morris/AnnaShoots.com

TV PERFORMANCES
Fox Early Morning Show, South African Tourism, October, 2004
Fox Family, at Madiba Restaurant, NYC, April 2004
CBS South African Tourism, May 2004
CNN, BET, and WB11 Kwanza Celebration, December, 2003

Brooklyn--A group of East New York students decided to spend their spring vacation in the classroom. Not brewing over books, or crunching numbers, but learning movement, dance and rhythm from a group of artist educators with expertise in various South African arts forms as part of Community Works and Groundwork Sharing Our Lives East New York/ South Africa project.
These Brooklyn middle school students, who range in age from 11 – 13 and hail from IS 292 and Public Schools 328 and 260, are being exposed to a variety of South African art forms including Zulu and gumboot dance; mining chants; and African Jazz; while incorporating their own special blend of hip hop, spoken word and rap. They will present their infused work in a student-produced work-in-progress on Friday, April 21, 2006 at the Fiorentino Campus of Junior High School 292, located at 301 Vermont Avenue in Brooklyn. The program, which will include a special guest appearance by Brooklyn-conscious rapper Talib Kweli and a performance by renowned South African Dance Troupe Juxtapower, takes place from 3:30 – 5:00 PM. Elected officials, parents and special invited guests will also be in attendance.
Sharing our Lives is a signature arts and literacy workshop program of Community Works, which offers students the opportunity to make connections with young people in other neighborhoods, locally and globally. In sharing letters and artistic expressions that celebrate their own lives, students discover their commonality with young people around the world.
In addition to art skills, participants are learning about South African history and experiencing contemporary life through a variety of guest artists and speakers. The cultural exchange will be enhanced through video and the internet, with the East New York students and students from the Theo-Thwala School east of Johannesburg, South Africa.
According the Barbara Horowitz, Founder and President of Community Works, “In1994 Community Works created its first global project connecting young students from Capetown, South Africa to students from Martin Luther King Jr. High School in New York City. Today, we are so proud that 12 years later we are re-visiting post-Apartheid South Africa with this unique cultural exchange initiative.”
Community Works is a leading nonprofit arts education organization that was founded by Barbara Horowitz in 1990. Its mission is to build bridges between diverse cultures and neighborhoods by using the arts as a tool for social and personal change, and sharing community stories that connect us all. Community Works collaborates with over 550 public schools, 300 artists, and 220 cultural and community associations annually, serving over 200,000 students and community members borough-wide, through its acclaimed public arts exhibitions, multicultural performances, workshops and mentoring programs.
Founded by Richard Buery and Andrea Schorr in 2002, Groundwork’s mission is to help neighbors build powerful communities. Its after-school and summer programs for elementary and middle school children give them the skills and confidence they need to become engaged, educated citizens. Groundwork’s work experience and college preparatory programs for teenagers teach youth to become leaders while guiding them to success in academics and in life. Groundwork currently serves nearly 600 children and 1,000 familes annually residing in East New York, Brooklyn.
By Keith L. Forest
Black World News

AUDREY’S SOCIETY WHIRL: African royalty honored at Shared Interest 5th annual awards gala
The 2005 Shared Interest honorees are South African politico/industrialist Tokyo Mosima Gabriel Sexwale, Executive Chairman, Mvelaphanda Holdings; the Bergman Family -- Stanley, Marion, Paul and Edward; and Carl Ware of The Coca Cola Company. All honorees share in common that they are world renowned private/public sector icons and philanthropists. Black Entertainment TV (BET) Nightly news correspondent and anchor Michelle Miller served as Awards Dinner Mistress of Ceremonies. Entertainment was provided by the exciting South African dance troupe, JUXTAPOWER. The dinner, which tied in with the United Nation’s Year of the Microcredit theme, is a major fundraiser for the organization.
By Audrey J. Bernard/Society Editor (April 26, 2005)

(Very important) PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES