Over 150 children from KwaZulu-Natal will join forces with dancers around the world in creating a massive stage for waves of change around water consciousness. Here’s why it matters as much as it does.
KwaZulu-Natal (07 June, 2023) — In 2023, water means a lot more than sips, a good scrub-a-dub, or something to enjoy when life on land gets overwhelming. In privileged societies, access to clean water is a lot like living on a loadshedding-free grid—the situation is there, but it’s out of reach.
When people come together to remind us that global water problems exist—impacting between two and three billion people worldwide—and are persevering, we all have a choice. Sit back in privileged chairs with water features flowing and hope someone else will figure it out, or do a small part to help. Just as many have wished the loadshedding-free world would do something beyond talk about South Africa being left in the dark, water warriors have a similar pledge.
Sometimes, the change is as simple as putting an idea onto someone else’s radar. It doesn’t have to mean protesting. It can mean art, sport or dance; or a combination of all three.
The Global Water Dances’ Festival moves along these lines. The big goal is to use dance as a language to communicate water insecurity in a way that can inspire anyone to learn a little more or do a little better. This year’s theme is ‘Waiting for Water’, set to communicate this in a language we can all understand and make waves of change.
Over 150 students from KwaMashu School of Dance Theatre are joining the dance-led conversation. Here, they’ll be part of a much bigger stage that unites global dancers sharing the same message and choreography around one of the only things that connects every living thing—clean and safe water.
The international event is happening all around the world for its 10th year, with dancers from almost every continent taking part on 10 June.
But, if you’re in or on your way to KZN, stop by Durban Lagoon Park’s Green Hub. The only price? Open your mind to what life would be like without clean water.
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