Sduduzo Ka-Mbili aka Nunu was born in Engonyameni, a vibrant rural area
of Durban, South Africa. In 1989, Sduduzo first attended a Shell
Corporation sponsored Dance and Drama Program at the University of
Natal, where he first learnt about professional performing. The
following year he joined Phenduka Dance Theatre, where he received more
training in Contemporary Dance from Alfred Hinkel (a world-renowned
choreographer) and Suria Govender, another teacher and dancer of high
calibre. In 1991; Sduduzo 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. He
later moved to Cape Town where he continued his training with Alfred
Hinkel and performed his first musical; Poison by David Kramer and
Taliep Peterson. In 1993, Sduduzo joined Soweto Dance Theatre, directed
by late Jackie Semela, the internationally renowned African dance
teacher. In 1994, he was offered a dance position with Free Flight Dance
Company, under the direction of Adele Blank and Christopher Kindo, the
innovators of South African Contemporary Dance in South Africa. In
1997, Sduduzo was one of the three recipients for a full scholarship to
train at the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance School in New
York City. During his training in NYC, 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. In 1999, he also
toured the US with Donald Byrd’s Harlem Nutcracker before resolving to
establish a song and dance production that would be representative of
the South African culture. Juxtapower eventually developed into a
touring production that travelled extensively throughout the USA.
Sduduzo was nominated as one of the 25 to watch by DANCE MAGAZINE in
2003. His work has been reviewed by the New York Times, Washington
Past, Village Voice, the Rolling Stone magazine and more.
Sduduzo has also shared the same stage with Alicia Keys, Bono, Gwen
Stefanie, Sheryl Crow, Jay Z, David Bowie, Talib Kweli and many more. He
has performed before the likes of Collin Powell, Presidents Ford, Carter,
and Clinton in Washington DC and New York City. In 2008, JUXTAPOWER was
invited by Russell Simons’ Foundation and Hearst (Magazine company) to
feature at their high profile event which was attended by the likes of
Gayle from O’ Magazine, Russell and Run Simmons, to name a few. His
production, together with the Lion King cast also paid tribute to the
legendary film maker Gordon Parks, just before his death. Sduduzo
travelled extensively throughout the European Union regions, performing
and teaching about his history and culture. In June 2008, JUXTAPOWER was
invited to headline a United Nation’s Africa Day event, which was also
attended by dignitaries from all over the world. He was also featured in
the popular NBC TV show called Super Stars of Dance in 2008, as a
representative of South Africa. He has produced productions in New York,
and created shows for colleges, schools, and special events across
America.
While studying in college, Sduduzo was introduced to radio broadcasting;
it has since changed his life. He is now a radio talk-show host and
producer of Insights & Reels on SAR-FM radio and Afro-beat radios at New
York’s finest WBAI-FM, 99.5 radio station. Sduduzo is also an animal
activist and vegetarian, who believes all sentient beings have an
inalienable right to life and do not have to be ruthlessly slaughtered for
food as there is enough else for everyone to eat. His hobbies include
taking pictures, about which he studied intensely at Intec College and in
New York; he also enjoys swimming, jumping, performing Nutcracker every
December, talking and writing. Sduduzo holds a Bachelor of Science degree
from Empire State College in NY. He has just finished writing his first
novel (Children of the Crystal), and he is currently studying towards his
Master’s degree in Foreign/Social Policy.
Sduduzo Ka-Mbili resides in Durban, South Africa and New York City where
he teaches, produces, choreographs and broadcasts at WBAI 99.5 FM and SAR
FM Radio. His production JUXTAPOWER continues to tour the USA
successfully, representing his South African culture.
“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.
Press review by the Washington Post
“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
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