South Africa’s Top Dance Export Paul Modjadji to spread Nelson Mandela magic in Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica – July 13, 2018 – As the world prepares to celebrate iconic Statesman Nelson Mandela’s Centenary on July 18 which was declared the International Nelson Mandela Day by the United Nations, the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts partners with one of South Africa’s acclaimed dancers and choreographers, Paul Modjadji, to mark this important day.

Paul Modjadji is a two-time world dance champion who made history in 2011 by becoming the first dancer from Africa to be crowned world champion at the Dance Star World Masters in Croatia, in the solo Jazz Category. Since then he’s gone on to win the Top Dancer in the World accolade in New York City in 2013 for his solo “Viva the Legend” an ode to Nelson Mandela. Paul is the choreographer behind South Africa’s first made for Cinema dance film, Hear Me Move, a first to come out of Africa. He has been invited to run workshops in over 30 international countries, including the USA, Nigeria, India, China, Tanzania, Kenya and now Jamaica.

He is currently the featured guest lecturer in the School of Dance as a part of the College’s annual Summer Dance Programme. Through a partnership with the South African high Commission and the EMCVPA forty (40) wards of the State will be empowered through dance, music and drama workshops, and exposed to South African food and goodies. Modjadji will use this chance to also run his empowering talks on youth development and the power of using one’s talents to break down whatever boundaries one might encounter in life. “I look forward to learning about the youth movement in Jamaica and how young people are using the arts to express the realities of the day, elevate social discourse and address socio-political and economic issues, particularly affecting the youth. Mandela dedicated his life to eradicating poverty and securing the freedom of all, it is up to us, the youth of today to take the baton and play our part,” Modjadji shares.

For coverage or interviews with Modjadji, please contact Coleen Douglas at 876 468-540

The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts has been through several stages in its evolution. The four Schools—Drama, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts—started out at different locations in Kingston. Two of the Schools, namely the School of Art and the School of Music, are historic because of their establishment in 1951 and 1961 respectively, before the island gained its independence from Britain in 1962.