Via Volcano in association with Breaking Cycles presents

Mzobane

2010

Directed by Benji Reid

Via Volcano is a young and dynamic company based in Mogale City, South Africa. The company use a style of dance called Pantsula, which originated in South Africa.

Pantsula dance became famous several decades ago in the townships of South Africa, but it was more than just another dance. It expressed their lives as a reflection of the violence of the township culture. The dance set them free from parental dominance and it gave them freedom without prejudice.

The Pantsula dance is described as a flat-footed African tap-and-glide style of dance. The Zulu word "Pantsula" means to "waddle like a duck or alternatively walk with protruded buttocks", which is a characteristic of the dance

Pantsula mainly represented the rebellious youths in the township, but it also consisted of a certain fashion. People were proud to present Pantsula as part of their culture. The dance was performed in the street and groups competed with each other over who could perform the most creative Pantsula dance.

In today's South Africa, the Pantsula dance and its accompanying music (known as kwaito), has slowly migrated out of the townships and emerged in the commercial arena.

For more than ten years Via Volcano have played a pivotal role in training dancers, since it was founded in 1994 by Sphiwe Mathebula, and also continues to work closely with community groups and schools to spread performing arts to the community. Through this work, Via Volcano are involved in the discovery and nurturing of talent among young people in the dance industry.