Some of the world’s finest ballet dancers are flocking to the Western Cape this week for the South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) taking place in Cape Town. The competition runs from July 14th to 17th at the Artscape Theatre. Dancers began trickling into Cape Town a few days before the classical ballet event.
“As the only country on the African continent and the only competition on the African continent that focuses purely on classical ballet as its mainstay competition, we’re very proud of what it’s achieved,” SAIBC founder Dirk Badenhorst told The Citizen . “Also because we have some entrants from some of our neighbouring countries such as Kenya,” Badenhorst added. Now in its 11th year, the competition was established by Badenhorst in 2008.
From 2021,the SAIBC was held annually. “The SAIBC used to be every two years and then in Covid, we did a 2020 online,” shared Badenhorst. Today it is recognised as Africa’s finest and most established ballet event of its kind that attracts dancers of the highest calibre from across the globe.
ALSO READ: Tammy Higgins: Ballerina defying gravity in the world of dance The protection of dancers in training SAIBC has three age groups: ages nine to 12 (Scholar), 13 to 16 (Junior), and 17 to 22 (Senior), in both Classical Ballet and Contemporary categories. The competition is also open to duets, trios and groups. 88 dancers from 15 different countries are competing in the competition.
“There are six judge.