9 – 12 September 2026 / 7pm / John Kani Theatre, The Market Theatre: Following the 28th edition of the Centre for Creative Arts’ JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience in Durban (26 August to 6 September), the pioneering festival returns to Johannesburg with JOMBA! @ The Market Theatre from 9 to 12 September with a carefully curated four-night season celebrating exceptional contemporary dance from South Africa, Africa and Europe.
Now in its fourth partnership year, JOMBA! and the Market Theatre continue their commitment to expand access to ground-breaking contemporary dance by bringing a selection of the JOMBA! Festival’s productions to Johannesburg audiences, to celebrate innovation, artistic excellence and the transformative power of movement across cultures, generations and borders.
JOMBA! @ The Market Theatre takes place in the John Kani Theatre and features internationally acclaimed artists and companies alongside two of South Africa’s most influential choreographic voices.
Celebrating South African choreographic excellence
The season honours two previous JOMBA! Legacy Artists whose work has transformed contemporary dance in South Africa and internationally. Acclaimed choreographer Mamela Nyamza presents her breath-taking ensemble work THE HERD/LESS, a visually arresting meditation on community, conformity, vulnerability and survival. Characterised by Nyamza’s fearless choreographic language and uncompromising social commentary, the work powerfully interrogates belonging and resistance.
Internationally celebrated choreographer and performer Vincent Mantsoe, whose deeply embodied artistic practice bridges ancestral knowledge with contemporary performance, presents his compelling new solo Desert Poems. This intimate work offers a profound meditation on endurance, spirituality and transformation through Mantsoe’s distinctive movement vocabulary.
International collaboration takes centre stage
Opening this fourth JOMBA! @ The Market Theatre season is the extraordinary HEROES, presented by the world-renowned Dutch company Introdans in collaboration with Uganda’s Joseph Tebandeke and guests, Durban’s FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY. This remarkable programme spans internationally celebrated choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Iratxe Ansa and Igor Bacovich, alongside new South African choreography by Zinhle Nzama. The programme also features the inclusive masterpiece IUNGO by Adriaan Luteijn, bringing together performers of different backgrounds, generations and physical abilities in a powerful celebration of humanity, diversity and connection.
Workshops with internationally renowned artists
As part of the season, JOMBA! and The Market Theatre will host two free professional development workshops at the Sophiatown Studio, offering dancers and movement practitioners the opportunity to work directly with internationally acclaimed artists.
On Tuesday, 8 September (4.30–6pm), Giuseppe Calabrese, ballet master with Introdans, leads a repertoire workshop exploring the choreographic language of renowned Belgian-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Participants will engage with concepts of fluidity, musicality, connection and dynamic movement quality, drawing on Calabrese’s extensive experience performing Cherkaoui’s celebrated repertoire.
On Friday, 11 September (4.30–6pm), Vincent Mantsoe shares his celebrated KOBA Technique, described as a “physical meditation.” Integrating traditional and contemporary dance practices, the workshop invites participants to explore identity, presence and embodied expression through Mantsoe’s internationally recognised movement philosophy.
Booking Information Performance tickets: https://markettheatre.co.za/ Workshop bookings: [email protected]. Workshop places are free, but booking is essential as numbers are limited.
Performance Programme
Wednesday, 9 September | 7pm HEROES Introdans (Netherlands) with guests Joseph Tebandeke (Uganda) and FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY (South Africa)
Thursday, 10 September | 7pm HEROES Introdans (Netherlands) with guests Joseph Tebandeke (Uganda) and FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY (South Africa)
Friday, 11 September | 7pm THE HERD/LESS Choreographed by Mamela Nyamza MAM – Mamela’s Artistic Movement (South Africa)
Saturday, 12 September | 7pm Desert Poems Choreographed and performed by Vincent Mantsoe
Workshop Programme
Tuesday, 8 September | 4.30–6pm Introdans Repertoire Workshop Led by Giuseppe Calabrese Venue: Market Theatre Sophiatown Studio
Friday, 11 September | 4.30–6pm KOBA Technique Workshop Led by Vincent Mantsoe Venue: Market Theatre Sophiatown Studio
