The 2023 China-South Africa Friendship Night featured dancers from both China and South Africa and showcased a spectacular array of culturally distinctive dance performances during the event.
South Africa’s Elvis Sibeko’s dance troupe presented their dance production titled “Manyano: The Spirit of Ubuntu,” which has been described as an Afro-epic South African masterpiece that revives the essence and potency of ubuntu. Ubuntu is an indigenous philosophy of South African people and can translate to “humanity to others” from the Zulu and Xhosa languages.
The production blends together African traditional dance routines from Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele, Tsonga, Venda, Swati, Pedi, Khoisan, and Sotho cultures, showcasing the best of their traditions.
The artistic fusion feast was followed by three traditional Chinese dance programs, showcasing the charm of the diverse cultures of China, brought by student dancers from Hebei University.
The captivating performances of dancers from both countries were met with rounds of applause and cheer.
South African audience member Martha Mphuthi ululated during the performance, an exclamation of joy heard at special events in her country.
“I was ululating because I was reminded of home. I felt like I was in South Africa while I was watching the show. I also like that they started from traditional dances and then they came with panstula (dancing), which is very famous in South Africa, and they did amapiano dancing too; that was fun,” she said.
Furthermore, dancers from the two countries came together for a collaborative dance using red silk ribbons, exuding a strong Chinese cultural essence. Friendship was fostered among the dancers through the performances on the friendship night.
Dancer Chwayita Natasha Ntoto said, “As South African dancers, we always feel that we have to be on a beat. This showed us another side of dance. Everything is possible. Chinese people can learn African dance moves. We can learn about Chinese cultures. The ribbon dance is something we never thought we would do. It is a significant dance here and we have to take part. We have to be here with our hearts as well
Lin Songtian, president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said “The friendship between the two nations lies in the affinity between their peoples, and this affinity is built upon the connection of hearts.”
“The cultural philosophies of China and South Africa share similarities, creating a natural sense of closeness”, he added, noting that both China and South Africa possess a rich history and cultures that are open, inclusive, and vibrant.
The China-South Africa Friendship Night was organized jointly by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the South African Embassy in China, on the backdrop of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa.
The event also aimed to extend good wishes for the success of the upcoming BRICS Summit in South Africa in August.
