The highly anticipated Dancing Out of Cancer Festival 2025 is set to take center stage at the Soweto Theatre on March 8 and 9, 2025, promising an inspiring blend of music, dance, fitness, and health awareness. In partnership with Nomsa Manaka Dance Beat, the festival aims to educate, empower, and uplift communities affected by cancer while celebrating the strength and resilience of survivors and warriors.
This year’s festival expands into a two-day celebration, kicking off with a Fun Run & Walk on March 8, followed by an electrifying music and dance showcase on March 9. With a stellar lineup of legendary artists, dynamic dance performances, and interactive health hubs, this event is more than just entertainment – it’s a call to action for cancer awareness and early detection.
Nomsa Manaka: The Visionary Behind the Movement
The Dancing Out of Cancer Festival is the brainchild of Nomsa Manaka, a pioneering South African dance icon, choreographer, and cancer survivor. With a career spanning over four decades, Manaka is one of South Africa’s most celebrated Afro-contemporary dancers, whose artistic influence has shaped the country’s dance landscape.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Nomsa Manaka’s personal battle with cancer ignited her mission to use dance as a tool for healing and advocacy. Diagnosed with breast cancer, she turned her experience into a powerful platform for awareness and education, inspiring many to take charge of their health through movement and community engagement.
“I believe dance is more than just movement; it’s a form of healing, empowerment, and self-expression. Through this festival, we want to spread a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of early cancer detection. We are dancing not just for joy but for life itself,” says Manaka.
Her Nomsa Manaka Dance Studio continues to mentor young dancers, preserving the art of African contemporary dance while advocating for health awareness through performance. The Dancing Out of Cancer Festival is a manifestation of her life’s work, blending art and activism to inspire change.
A Star-Studded Lineup for a Worthy Cause
The 2025 festival has assembled a spectacular lineup of South Africa’s most celebrated performers, all coming together to raise awareness and ignite conversations about cancer.
Music and Poetry Headliners
🎤 Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse – A living legend whose music continues to inspire generations.
🎤 Judith Sephuma – South Africa’s queen of jazz and Afro-soul, whose voice carries deep emotion and power.
🎤 Unathi Nkayi – Multi-talented singer, author, and media personality known for her soulful performances.
🎧 DJs Kaleido, Bilal, and Jus Themba – Bringing electrifying beats to keep the crowd moving.
🎭 Special Poetry Performance: Mak Manaka, a celebrated poet and son of Nomsa Manaka, will deliver a powerful spoken word performance, adding depth and meaning to the festival’s message.
💃 Dance Showcase: The Nomsa Manaka Dance Studio will present a mesmerizing dance performance, illustrating the journey of survival, hope, and strength through movement.
🎤 Event Hosts: The festival will be guided by the charismatic MCs Kenny Makhenzo Nkosi and Ntsiki Mazwai, ensuring an engaging and uplifting atmosphere.
More Than Entertainment: Health Awareness and Community Support
At its core, the Dancing Out of Cancer Festival is a platform for education, advocacy, and support. Throughout the event, attendees will have access to on-site health hubs, providing free cancer education, screening information, and survivor support networks.
👩⚕️ Health Awareness Partners:
• DKMS (The Fight Against Blood Cancer) – Providing education on stem cell donation and blood cancer awareness.
• The Department of Health – Offering resources on early cancer detection, treatment options, and wellness programs.
Franklin Ngcaba, Acting General Manager of Soweto Theatre, emphasises the significance of this initiative:
“We are proud to be part of this powerful fusion of art and advocacy, using dance to raise awareness and ignite conversations about cancer. This event empowers individuals to learn, connect, and act, while celebrating the strength and resilience of those impacted by cancer. It’s a moving reminder that art can be a catalyst for change, transforming knowledge into hope, one step at a time.”
Festival Schedule and Ticket Information
Day 1: Fun Run & Walk (Cancer Awareness)
📅 Saturday, 8th March 2025
⏰ 08:00 – 12:00
🏃♂️ Routes: 5km & 8km
👟 A morning of fitness, unity, and awareness to kick off the festival!
Day 2: Live Music & Dance Festival
📅 Sunday, 9th March 2025
⏰ 11:00 – 18:00
🎭 A full day of live music, poetry, and dance performances!
📍 Venue: Soweto Theatre (At the Amphitheatre)
How to Get Tickets
🎟️ Available at:
• Webtickets
• Pick n Pay (Search: Nomsa Manaka Dance Beat)
Why This Festival Matters
Cancer remains a major health crisis in South Africa and across the world. The Dancing Out of Cancer Festival seeks to break the silence, debunk myths, and promote early detection through edutainment. The festival provides a safe space for survivors to share their stories, for families to find support, and for communities to rally behind a common cause.
By merging art with advocacy, Nomsa Manaka and Soweto Theatre are leading a movement that encourages people to take charge of their health, while reminding us all of the healing power of dance and music.
Join the Movement: Dance for Awareness, Dance for Life
The Dancing Out of Cancer Festival is more than just a show – it’s a statement. It’s a movement that calls on everyone to stand together, celebrate life, and take action against cancer.
Whether you participate in the Fun Run & Walk, dance to the beats of South Africa’s musical icons, or learn valuable health information from the onsite hubs, your presence makes a difference.
🔥 Don’t miss this transformative festival – where art meets advocacy, and every step taken is a step towards hope! Join the movement, celebrate resilience, and help spread the message: Cancer is not a battle fought alone!
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For sponsorship or co-branding opportunities visit:
🌐 SowetoTheatre.com or contact Nomsa Manaka on nomsamanakadancebeat@lelomaqevents.com