For ten years, the work has happened quietly.
Week after week, young people with disabilities have explored movement, creativity and self-expression in classrooms across Johannesburg.
On 18 September 2026, that work leaves the classroom and takes centre stage.
Moving into Dance will present its Enable through Dance project at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the UJ Arts Centre, Kingsway Campus, hosted by UJ Arts & Culture.
The performance starts at 11:00, admission is free, and the programme runs for approximately 70 minutes.
More than a performance, it marks a decade of creating space for young people who are too often defined by what others believe they cannot do.
A Decade of Dance and Possibility
Established in 2016, Enable through Dance works with seven special needs schools and organisations across Johannesburg.
The programme reaches more than 160 young people each week, from Eldorado Park to Hillbrow.
Participating organisations include:
- Don Materra School
- Johannesburg Hospital School for Autism
- Phiri Special School
- Thembalethu Foundation
- Winnie Madikeleza Mandela School
- Johannesburg Society for the Blind
- Philile Foundation Pre-School
Through dance and movement, the project creates an environment where young people can express themselves creatively.
It is about more than learning choreography.
The programme aims to build a sense of belonging while recognising the lived experiences of disability. Through artistic exploration and movement, participants are encouraged to develop confidence and self-esteem.
Then comes the moment that many school programmes never reach.
The stage.
From the Classroom to the Spotlight
The professional theatre performance gives participants an opportunity to experience dance in an entirely different setting.
There are stage lights.
There is a live audience.
There is the energy of a production taking place in front of people.
And there is the knowledge that the young dancers are not simply participating in a classroom activity. They are stepping onto a professional stage to share the results of a decade-long programme.
For Sunnyboy Mandla Motau, Artistic Director of Moving into Dance, that moment captures the importance of the project.
“When Moving into Dance launched Enable through Dance ten years ago, we knew it was an important initiative for dance and for dancers,” says Motau.
He also acknowledges the support of funders, including the City of Johannesburg’s Directorate of Arts and Culture, which has supported teaching in the participating schools.
“But the moment that matters is this one,” Motau says.
He describes the opportunity for young people from special needs schools to perform in a professional theatre and experience the excitement of a live dance production as “nothing short of amazing.”
Dance as a Space for Expression
Enable through Dance challenges the idea that disability should define what young people can contribute creatively.
Instead, movement becomes a language.
Dance creates a space for participants to explore their abilities, express themselves and build confidence through artistic practice.
That approach also gives the project a wider social purpose.
By recognising lived experiences and creating opportunities for participation, the programme contributes to a greater sense of belonging and inclusion.
A Partnership with Purpose
The 2026 presentation is hosted by UJ Arts & Culture as part of its long-standing partnership with Moving into Dance.
The collaboration brings together community-based dance practice and a professional arts environment.
For UJ Arts & Culture, the programme demonstrates how the arts can create meaningful societal impact.
It widens access to artistic experiences, creates opportunities for young people and highlights the role of creative practice in social and cultural transformation.
The professional performance platform also supports Moving into Dance’s ongoing work within the community.
At the same time, it contributes to the development of dancers and the wider dance sector.
Ten Years Later, The Stage Awaits
A decade of weekly classes has led to this moment.
Young dancers who have spent years developing their skills through Enable through Dance will now have the opportunity to experience the professional stage.
Their performance is a celebration of the work that happens before the curtain rises.
It is about the teachers, facilitators, schools, families, funders and partners who help create the conditions for young people to participate.
Most importantly, it is about the young dancers themselves.
On 18 September, they will not simply walk into a theatre.
They will step into the spotlight.
And after ten years of Enable through Dance, that moment deserves to be seen.
Event Details
Production: Enable through Dance
Date: Thursday, 18 September 2026
Time: 11:00
Venue: Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre, UJ Arts Centre, Kingsway Campus, Auckland Park
Duration: Approximately 70 minutes
Admission: Free
Booking: The supplied press release indicates that booking/access arrangements still require confirmation.
Accessibility: The supplied press release lists accessibility information as requiring confirmation. No specific accessibility facilities have been added to avoid introducing unverified information.
