Born in Soweto, he became interested in dance in the late 1980’s as a means to escape the political tensions growing in his place of birth. He started his formal dance training in 1990 at Moving Into Dance (MID). Maqoma has established himself as an internationally renowned dancer, choreographer, teacher, director and scriptwriter. He founded Vuyani Dance Theatre (VDT) in 1999 when he was undertaking a scholarship at the Performing Arts Research and Training School (PARTS) in Belgium. Maqoma was Associate Artistic Director of MID (2002–2006) and for the FNB Dance Umbrella Festival 2010. He was Artistic Director of the Afro-Vibes Festival in the Netherlands and the UK from 2004 to 2010. Maqoma has served on the dance committee of the South African National Arts Festival (2011–2017) and curated the Main Dance Festival Program for 2017. He taught at various universities and schools in Africa, USA and Europe including, University of California, Bates College (USA), Bennington College (USA), University of Minnesota (USA), University of Cape Town (RSA), Ecole des Sables (Senegal) amongst others. He has created repertoire for different dance compagnies internationally, including Ballet De Lyon, Ballet Black, Via Katlehong amongst others. He was founding Chairperson of the Board of Sustaining Theatre and Dance Foundation (STAND) from 2020 to 2022. Maqoma has worked with different intergenerational artist on different projects, including Faustin Linyekula, William Kentridge, Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Kwame Kwei-Armah, and protégé Musa Motha. Amongst the long list of awards he received, Maqoma was honoured by the French Government with the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Award 2017, World Dance Day Author 2020, Simon Nkoli Feather Award 2022 and The Artfluence Human Rights Champion Award in recognition of his remarkable career, courage, and commitment to social justice.
04.03.2024
