As the dance and broader arts community continues to mourn the loss of David Thatanelo April, his life and legacy will be honoured at a memorial service on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg.
April passed away unexpectedly at his home in Pretoria on May 10 at the age of 56.
He began his dance journey with Moving Into Dance under the guidance of Sylvia “Magogo” Glasser, and was part of the first group to graduate from the Community Dance Teachers Training Course (CDTTC) in 1992. His peers included Moeketsi Koena, Vincent Sekwati Mantsoe, Carol Darcy-Jones, and Jan Moleya, among others. He later joined the MID performance company and toured regionally, nationally, and internationally until 1999.
April went on to serve as company manager, teacher, assistant to the director, and rehearsal director, before becoming Executive and Artistic Director in 2003, a role he held until 2008. He later established his own consultancy, working independently to support the development of the arts and culture sector. His contributions included fundraising, teaching, skills development, planning, marketing, and management.
Over the years, he worked with The Centre for the Less Good Idea, the Arts & Culture Trust, the National Arts Festival, JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, FNB Vita Dance Umbrella, and Dance Forum.
April received several honours throughout his career, including being the first recipient of the Tunkie Memorial Award for Outstanding Dedication and Leadership in Dance (2003), and the “Management and Leadership in Cultural Economy” award (2018) from the WITS School of Arts in partnership with Business and Arts South Africa (BASA).
He held a BA from UNISA and a Master’s in Cultural Policy and Management from WITS. At the time of his death, he was lecturing in Arts Administration and Management and Movement Studies at the University of Pretoria’s School of Arts.
In addition to his academic and professional achievements, April was also deeply passionate about dance photography, a craft he had embraced in recent years. He was recently honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Dance Pages in the Northern Cape, his home province.
April worked closely with Letlhogonolo Thutu Nche, a fellow graduate of Moving Into Dance, who continues to uphold the legacy of the organisation in the Northern Cape.
Remembered as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and cultural advocate, April’s impact was marked by generosity, inclusivity, and a transformative spirit. He leaves behind a community enriched by his work, and his absence will be deeply felt by friends, colleagues, students, and all who encountered his life’s work.
The memorial service is open to all who wish to celebrate his enduring passion for life, the arts, and cultural upliftment.
Memorial Details:
Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM
Venue: Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg
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