When, in 2001, South African Ballet Theatre, the company which today is known as Joburg Ballet, was founded the hopes of the founding members of the new ballet company were optimistic. But how confident were we in our heart of hearts about the sustained growth and longer term survival of the company? With the raw and painful memories of having seen PACT Ballet, a great South African ballet company of 37 years’ standing, extinguished in a single day, we set to work.
There can be no denying that the past 21 years have not been without tremendous challenges but as we celebrate our 21st anniversary we can also look back on many fine achievements and an impressive gallery of memorable performances. Joburg Ballet has provided a career destination for South African dancers and training and dance education facilities for communities across our city. We have built a company that has welcomed new choreographic voices and continues to do so as we dance into our third decade. We have upheld the great principles and traditions of classical ballet while at the same time exploring new traditions and dance styles that are shaping theatre dance in our time.
We thank the ladies and gentlemen of the Press and all our audiences and supporters who have stood by Joburg Ballet for 21 years, and we salute the City of Johannesburg and the many sponsors who have contributed to the success of Joburg Ballet – a proudly South African ballet company and an important part of South Africa’s cultural heritage.