Celebrated South African contemporary dancer Dada Masilo dies aged 39

The dance world mourned Tuesday the internationally acclaimed South African dancer and choreographer Dada Masilo, who died in hospital at the weekend aged 39.

Masilo died unexpectedly on Sunday after a brief illness, a spokesperson for her family said in a statement.

Born in Soweto, she was described as a sprite-like, energetic dancer and a fearless rule-breaker. In a career that spanned two decades, she brought African dance motifs to classic European roles.

"Deeply respectful of European and contemporary music traditions, but unafraid to go bare on stage and voice her own opinions, she effectively changed the shape and appearance of contemporary dance in South Africa," family spokesperson Bridget van Oerle said in the statement, announcing her death.

Among the most recent acknowledgments of her work, Masilo received the Positano Leonide Massine Lifetime Achievement Award for classical and contemporary dance in September. The award praised her as "powerful and topical."

(FILES) South-African dancer and choregrapher, Dada Masilo, poses on September 26, 2012 in Lyon, central France. The rising 27 years old star of the dance revisits the classical repertoire to its tonic and funny way, especially in "Swan Lake" (Le Lac des Cygnes) during the 15th Edition of the Biennale in Lyon, until September 30. AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE DESMAZES

The award announcement said her revisited versions of the great classics of romantic ballet drew on African dance to speak of the society in which she lived and of tolerance across borders.

"A brilliant light has been extinguished," the Joburg Ballet company said, praising Masilo's "creative force as a choreographer and her wisdom as a human being."

"Her groundbreaking work reshaped the world of contemporary dance, and her spirit will continue to inspire generations of artists and audiences," the University of Johannesburg's arts and culture department said.

The UK-based Dance Consortium, which toured with Masilo in Britain twice, called her death a "tragic loss to the dance world."

"Her fresh perspective, extraordinary presence, and stunning creations wowed and inspired audiences and artists across the UK and worldwide," it said.

'Extraordinary role model'

Lliane Loots, artistic director at the JOMBA! The University of KwaZulu-Natal Dance Center said Masilo was best known for her iconic re-invention of great ballet classics such as Swan Lake and Giselle.

Loots said she used her "remarkable skill as a ballet dancer" to meld this European dance form "with the rhythms and intentions of her own histories of African dance and of being South African. "

The family statement said that in 2016, Masilo's "Swan Lake" was nominated for a New York Bessie Award, and the following year, her "Giselle" won Best Performance by the Italian Danza and Danza Award.

In 2018, she won the Netherlands’ Prince Claus "Next Generation" award, where she was described as an "extraordinary role model for young people and girls."