Dance: Cape Ballet Africa announces prestigious new home at Sports Science Institute of South Africa

Cape Ballet Africa has announced that it has a new long-term home at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa. Read on for more about this exciting news and for details of CBA upcoming performances:

Cape Ballet Africa Announces Prestigious New Home at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa

In a powerful fusion of dance and sports science, Cape Ballet Africa is proud to announce its new, long-term home at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA).

The Company, which was established only eight months ago in March 2024, will be relocating long-term from February 2025 to the SSISA as the resident ballet company.

This exciting move has been made possible thanks to the philanthropic social investment programs of Food Lover’s Market, which recently marked their incredible twenty-year investment in the arts and association with Cape Ballet Africa founder, Debbie Turner.

“We are honoured as we work together to bring unparalleled cutting-edge training and dancer care, artistry, and athleticism to the heart of Cape Town,” says Debbie Turner, founder and Artistic Director of Cape Ballet Africa. “

“Following our recent successful inaugural season of SALT at The Baxter, we cannot wait to step into our custom-fitted facility for ballet and dance at the Sports Science Institute, where art meets science, innovation, and community.  We already have a packed programme and inspiring plans for 2025, so to have this ideally-placed studio as our base from which to create is a dream come true. We are immensely grateful to our partners at Food Lover’s Market and the Sports Science Institute for making this happen.” says Turner.

‘Food Lover’s Market is resolutely committed to enriching the communities we serve and consistently finding ways we can strive for excellence, investing in the future of South African talent,” says Shaneen Coppin, Food Lover’s Market and Cape Ballet Africa Board Member.

“What more fitting way then, to enable a partnership with leaders in sport and cultural excellence, between the Sports Science Institute and Cape Ballet Africa, in a marriage between dance and science.” says Coppin.

“We are excited about welcoming Cape Ballet Africa and extending our work with Food Lover’s Market. We look forward to the great social dividends that will flow from this unique combination of culture, innovation and sports performance,” says Dr Mandla Moyo, CEO of the Sports Science Institute of South Africa.

Cape Ballet Africa is proud to be associated with Food Lover’s Market with their commitment to innovation and their values to….have faith, lead with love, be the miracle”.

Cape Ballet Africa is also grateful for the support of The Fine Fund, tda, (THEATRE DANCE ASSOCIATION), BASA, Ballet World, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and CDIC (Cape Dance Injury Centre) and Southern Sun Hotels for hosting.

Cape Ballet Africa celebrates cultural values imbued through dance, instilling the discipline of classical ballet while blending in the exciting heritage of South African culture. The Company identity strongly aligns with the global dance landscape while building a proudly African organisation.

Cape Ballet Africa seeks to reimagine how ballet can look in Africa, using the interplay of identity and culture, the diversity in all elements of the artform; the people and the repertory.

Cape Ballet Africa produces performances that are bold and strongly rooted in the classical ballet technique, with exceptional quality front-and-centre as an inherent part of the artistic identity. It is founded in discipline and self-expression, individuality in teamwork, with a distinctive elegance, refinement and audacious grace. 

Established by highly respected dance figure Debbie Turner, Cape Ballet Africa will, through performance excellence and ongoing professional development of artists, inspire new generations to appreciate an artform that demands much of the human spirit, gives much back to the human spirit and fosters a broad appreciation and following within the African diaspora. Innovation and collaboration are core focuses within the operation of the Company, with unique voices already a hallmark of its daily functioning, both within the cast and the creative minds.

Education and upskilling of young apprentice professional artists working with more experienced artists will also be a focus for the new company.

Cape Ballet Africa is honoured to include Dr Connie September, Diane Van Schoor and Thoriso Magongwa as the company’s Patrons.

✳ Cape Ballet Africa announces prestigious new home at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa.