SYLVESTER THAMSANQA MAJELA

Biography​
​

 

Thamsanqa Majela (b.1986) is a dancer, choreographer, based in Bloemfontein, South Africa. He is a graduate of the Performing Arts, Research and Training Studios (P.A.R.T.S). His formal dance training began at Tshwane University of Technology. He trained in Classical Ballet, Contemporary (Cunningham, Horton, Graham) techniques, African dances and other dance genres. As a performer, Majela worked with Dada Masilo, P.J. Sabbagha (Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative), Erik Languet, Gaby Saranoufi and Shanell Winlock among others. In 2015, he was selected as part of the ProHelvetia program to do a research residency in Switzerland with artist Margarita Kennedy. Their duet, Interim, premiered at the University of Johannesburg before touring to the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Center in Maputo, Mozambique; Soweto Theatre for Dance Umbrella; Dihy Soratra Festival in Antananarivo, Madagascar; Tanzfest Basel / Tanzfest Vevey, Switzerland. In 2018, he created a first solo work titled, A Last One In Color (him), which premiered in Mpumalanga for the My Body My Space, Public Arts Festival. A solo followed by a dance film, A Last One in Color, in collaboration with choreographer and performer, Manao Shimokawa, and film director, Axel Stasny. The film received several prizes including : Special Mention 2019 RollOut Dance Film Award, Best Story Nomination 2017 Sarajevo Fashion Film Festival,Official Selection 2017 Mosaic Film Festival, Premiered at the 2017 Japanische Filmtage (Vienna). He then created numerous Short-films, dance: Layered Waves (Mobile Dance Film Festival – NYC, Lift-Off First Time Film Makers – UK), Each Passing Minute (Features on Think Short), iNxeba and Lilith Lucifer and Eve. He co-Choreographed Sub Zero, a film funded by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. Sub Zero was selected for the Lift-Off Global Network – UK, Woman Scream Film Festival in Dominican Republic.   In 2020, he was invited to be part of Season 7 at the Centre For The Less Good Idea, William Kentridge studios. During this time, he created a work inspired by the Pepper’s Ghost, SPACTRAL, presented at the Virtual-National Arts Festival. This work has also been screened as part of Performance Kokkenet Film festival, Denmark. He also created a comic-duet titled ‘Askies’ as part of his work at the Center For The Less Good Idea. In 2021, he presents a new duet, Mommy Mommy, as part of the National Arts Festival in Makhanda, South Africa. Majela also teaches workshops and dance classes, Movement Studies and Floor work. He has taught the Dance Factory Kids program, Vuyani Dance Company, Moving into Dance Mophatong, Joburg Ballet Theatre, Hilbrow Outreach Foundation and ProfiTraining-Tanz Buero (Basel, Switzerland). He has toured his classes/workshops in various regions in South Africa; Kwa-Zulu Natal, Gauteng, Northern Cape, Free State.