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, a Soweto-born dancer known for her energetic and rule-breaking style, unexpectedly passed away on Sunday after a brief illness, according to a family spokesperson. Her two-decade career was marked by her unique fusion of African dance motifs with classic European roles.
Masilo recently received the Positano Leonide Massine lifetime achievement award in September, recognizing her "powerful and topical" work in classic and contemporary dance. The award highlighted her innovative reinterpretations of romantic ballets, which incorporated African dance to address societal issues and promote tolerance.
Masilo was renowned for her innovative reinterpretations of ballets like "Swan Lake" and "Giselle," skillfully blending European form with African rhythms and her South African heritage, Lliane Loots, director of JOMBA!, a South African center for creative art, said.
The Joburg Ballet and the University of Johannesburg mourned all mourned the loss of Masilo, acknowledging her as a brilliant creative force whose groundbreaking work and spirit would continue to inspire the dance world.