The Centre for the Less Good Idea is an interdisciplinary incubator space for the arts based in Maboneng, Johannesburg

 MOTLHANA KALANA INCUBATOR (2023)

“Come with your cup empty, because we will be receiving and learning a lot. We will be sharing and learning from each other… The Centre is a space that allows you to fail. Don’t be afraid to fail.” – Teresa Phuti Mojela

From 27 February to 3 March 2023, SO | The Academy for the Less Good Idea collaborated with dancer and choreographer Teresa Phuti Mojela to present Motlhana Kalana, a five-day dance and choreography incubator for 20 women and non-binary dancers & choreographers at The Centre for the Less Good Idea.

Over five days, a group of 20 dancers worked with guest choreographers and facilitators towards the generation of new ideas, materials, and ways of engaging with dance and the body as a site for narrative excavation. Workshops in costume design, lighting, and set design were also presented. Facilitators included Athena Mazarakis, Shanell Winlock-Pailman, Kananelo Ngaleka, Letlhogonolo Molefi, Lee Lenela, Thabang Matlala, Nthabiseng Malaka, Ntombikayise Tshabalala and Teresa Phuti Mojela.

This incubator was the first phase of the Basadi Dance Festival project, funded by The National Arts Council and the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme. 

Collaborating and learning outside of one’s practice, and diversifying skillsets within that practice, were encouraged by the mentors and workshop facilitators throughout the process. Engaging the personal archive as a means of generating material and further defining one’s style and language of movement, was also central to the workshops.   

Three of the new dance works created in the incubator were later selected for the second phase of the Basadi Dance Festival project, which saw an extended mentorship process under the guidance of Teresa Phuti Mojela and the staging of these works on the Basadi Dance Festival platform.

CREDITS:

CONCEPTUALISER | Teresa Phuti Mojela
FACILITATORS | Athena Mazarakis, Shanell Winlock-Pailman, Kananelo Ngaleka, Letlhogonolo Molefi, Lee Lenela, Thabang Matlala, Nthabiseng Malaka, Ntombikayise Tshabalala, Teresa Phuti Mojela, Phuti Chokwe, Violet Moeng, Thato Mojela, Jessica Sibongile Mathe & Dwight Rietels
PARTICIPANTS | Lucracia Mogoro, Taylor Pietersen, Phumla Njeje, Boikarabelo Shezi, Precious Jiyane, Mbali Ndebele, Lynette Du Plessis, Nonjabulo Ndlovu, Lethabo Shai, Elma Motloenya, Faith Itumeleng Thobejane, Thato Modukanele, Princess Itumeleng Dlamini, Zaza Cala, Cebile Dube, Mkutaji Wa Njia, Langi Ramashia, Sinenhlanhla Hlatshwayo, Johanna Tshabalala & Kagiso Kekana   
PHOTOGRAPHER | Zivanai Matangi