Established in July 2012, following the merger between The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) and Mzansi Productions, South African Mzansi Ballet (SAMB) is Joburg’s very own professional ballet company – a first world ballet company for a first world city.
SAMB is proudly resident at the Joburg Theatre. The company consists of permanent and ad-hoc dancers skilled in both classical ballet and contemporary dance.
An extensive repertoire includes works by Petipa, Ivanov, Bovim, Maqoma, Paeper, Balanchine, Saint-Léon, Wubbe as well as home-grown choreographers Kitty Phetla, Iain MacDonald and Shannon Glover. An active performance schedule is maintained with two major seasons at the Joburg Theatre as well as promotional events, corporate entertainment, local and international tours.
In addition to the professional company, and under the auspices of SAMB, the following programmes are managed:
- Development School in Alexandra, Olifantsfontein, Tshwane, Sophiatown, Mamelodi, Eesterus, Katlehong, Melville, Soweto and Braamfontein
- A newly established South African Cuban School
- An extra-curricular Ballet Academy for high school students and
- A Graduate (apprenticeship) Programme
