Vuyani Dance Theatre in Partnership with Arts Alive presents CODE/DNA, opening at UJ Arts Centre: A Powerful Exploration of Memory, Identity and the Body as Archive
A bold new interdisciplinary dance production, CODE/DNA presented by Vuyani Dance Theatre in Partnership with Arts Alive, opens at the University of Johannesburg’s Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre this month, bringing together an exceptional collective of South African artists in a work that interrogates memory, identity and the unseen intelligence of the body.
Choreographed and directed by acclaimed dancer and Vuyani Dance Theatre’s Assistant Artistic Director Otto Andile Nhlapo, CODE/DNA is rooted in the idea that the body carries a hidden archive, holding memories, emotions and inherited knowledge long after the conscious mind has let go. Blending contemporary dance, original music, multimedia projection and lighting design, CODE/DNA creates an immersive world in which the body becomes both storyteller and archive.
The work moves beyond difference to uncover shared human experience, exploring how trauma, ancestry and lived experience are encoded within us. Through layered storytelling, fluid movement and emotionally charged choreography, the multi-media production reflects the dynamic interplay between body and mind where healing, memory and identity converge. Central to its exploration is the notion that while time may move on, the body remembers.
An original score by Sbusiso Shozi, a Durban-born composer, theatre-maker and performer, drives the work’s sonic landscape. Shozi’s practice sits at the intersection of sound, text and movement, with an international footprint that includes Paris, Berlin and New York. His recent work spans theatre, television and opera, including African Exodus (Off-Broadway, 2025), compositions for Shaka iLembe and Queendom, and the chamber opera Selemo, which premiered in Berlin in 2026. His ongoing collaboration with Nhlapo continues to push the boundaries of interdisciplinary performance.
Lighting design is led by award-winning designer Oliver Hauser, whose work spans major international stages including Barcelona, Paris, Zurich, Berlin, Beijing, Lagos and New York. Known for his ability to shape atmosphere and emotional depth, Hauser’s design plays a critical role in immersing audiences within the world of CODE/DNA.
The production brings together a powerful and diverse ensemble of artists whose collective experience spans theatre, dance, music and international performance.
Joining the creative team is Simphiwe Sanele Skhakhane, a Naledi Award-winning musical director whose work includes major productions such as Shaka Zulu: The Gaping Wound and Pula. His extensive experience across leading institutions including the South African State Theatre, as well as his work as a composer and vocal coach on productions such as Shaka iLembe and Queendom, positions him as one of the country’s most respected musical leaders.
The production’s powerful musical layer is brought to life by Thokozani Nsibande, a Daveyton-born multi-instrumentalist whose work is rooted in African indigenous music, shaped by years of performance, collaboration and music facilitation across theatre and education. He is joined by Sipho Reuben Dhlamini, a Soweto-born bassist and accomplished live performer, whose experience across major festivals and collaborative projects adds depth and dynamic rhythm to the production.
The cast features Khanyisile Ngwabe, an acclaimed actress, singer and theatre-maker whose work spans stage and screen. A Naledi Award nominee, she is a founding member of the award-winning KWASHA! Theatre Company and has performed in productions including No Easter Sunday for Queers, Xova, and 1789, as well as television roles on Mzansi Magic and e.tv.
Also featured is Teboho Cecil Motaung, a vocalist and performer with international touring experience across Europe and Turkey. From his early work with Soweto Spiritual Singers to performing alongside global artists and contributing to television productions, his musical versatility brings both depth and accessibility to the production.
Ziwe Fihlani, a saxophonist, educator and arts facilitator, adds a powerful musical and educational dimension to the work. With experience spanning the National Arts Festival, international collaborations and youth development programmes, her practice is rooted in both performance excellence and the advancement of women in the arts.
The production includes dancers from Vuyani Dance Theatre, a live ensemble of musicians, and a broader creative team encompassing costume design, multimedia, dramaturgy and technical production, creating a fully immersive and interdisciplinary performance environment.
Performances:
- Friday, 24 April @ 7:00pm
- Saturday, 25 April @ 5:00pm
Tickets available via Quicket
- Students: R100
- General Public: R150
About Otto Andile Nhlapo
Otto Andile Nhlapo’s passion for dance began in traditional Zulu forms before evolving into a dynamic contemporary career. A graduate of Moving Into Dance, he has performed internationally, including touring France and performing at the South African Presidential Inauguration. As a senior member of Vuyani Dance Theatre, he has collaborated with leading choreographers including Gregory Maqoma and Luyanda Sidiya, and has developed his own choreographic voice through works such as Interpellation, Gister Maoba and Man Up. He currently serves as a teacher, choreographer and Assistant Artistic Director while continuing to perform internationally.
