By Johnathan Paoli
Internationally acclaimed South African dancer and choreographer Dada Masilo has died. She was 39.
Masilo succumbed to a brief illness on Sunday, leaving behind what many have deemed an extraordinary legacy of transformative dance and storytelling.
Born on 21 February 1985, Masilo began her illustrious journey in the 1990s at the Dance Factory in Newtown, Johannesburg.
Her talent was evident early on, earning her an invitation to perform for Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands at just 11 years old.
After matriculating from the National School of the Arts in 2002, she furthered her skill at the Jazzart Dance Theatre and the Performing Arts Research and Training Studios in Brussels.
Masilo’s career was marked by her unique approach to reinterpreting classical ballets, with works such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet and Carmen imbued with African cultural narratives and bold critiques of societal norms.
Her 2016 Swan
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