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Stuff from Johannesburg

The Future Takes the Stage

Advertorial:
The Future Takes the Stage:

Born to Perform 2025: The Future Takes the Stage is more than a show – it’s South Africa’s future on stage. In a world where talent knows no boundaries, Born to Perform 2025 emerges as a spectacular celebration of youth, creativity and unstoppable spirit. This groundbreaking production will transform the Teatro at Montecasino into a canvas where the colours of South Africa’s youth come alive on 27 September at 13:30 and 18:00 and 28 September at 12:00 and 17:00. Tickets cost R200 – R345 and are available from webtickets.co.za

Under the visionary leadership and artistic direction of Stageworx Performing Arts School Director and Born to Perform founder, Gemma Marinus, whose transformative work has shaped creative education for over 20 years, alongside Matthew Counihan as Creative Director and Dillonne Pashovski as Assistant Director and Choreographer, Born to Perform 2025 brings together extraordinary young talents from every corner of our diverse society. These are the dreamers, the innovators, the voices of tomorrow – brave enough to step into the spotlight and share their gifts with the world. The 2025 production builds on the energy of its 2019 predecessor, which saw packed houses and standing ovations night after night. From soul-stirring vocals to breathtaking choreography and powerful original compositions to innovative digital elements produced by Stageworx Media Head, Matthew Marinus this year’s show promises to push creative boundaries while celebrating the authentic spirit of South African youth.

In collaboration with Howard Events and the continued support of Montecasino, Born to Perform 2025 elevates youth entertainment to new heights. The production showcases not just raw talent, but the remarkable fusion of traditional and contemporary performing arts, creating a blend of sound, movement and emotion that reflects our nation’s rich cultural heritage. At its core beats the rhythm of a diverse nation – alive with possibility, driven by purpose and ready for the future to take the stage. Each performer brings their unique story, their individual journey and their personal dreams to create a masterpiece of unity and excellence. This is where future stars are born. This is where boundaries dissolve. This is where South Africa’s creative spirit soars. This isn’t just another youth production: this is Born to Perform 2025 – where every spotlight tells a story, every performance touches hearts, and every moment celebrates the extraordinary talent of young South Africa. Come and join the cast on an unforgettable journey of discovery, excellence and pure magic.

Gemma Marinus explains “Our artistic development philosophy values the journey over the destination. In rehearsals, young performers build connections, embrace differences, and tackle challenging topics through meaningful exploration. While performances showcase talent, the personal growth gained throughout is invaluable. We proudly cultivate diverse creative paths such as Bo Molefe and Bulelo Landman assisting with choreography, Evanca Moolman in production management, Brendan Moorcroft as school liaison, Yahto Kraft leading costume design, Jordyn Shaefer heading up photography, design and social media and numerous interns developing technical skills backstage.”

The Shine 2019 show was a testament to this vision, staged at the Teatro at Montecasino and featuring 450 talented children and teenagers from local schools, encompassing a fully inclusive initiative that actively involved children with disabilities, including students from St. Vincent School for the Deaf. Born to Perform productions not only entertain but also empower youth to engage in content creation, allowing them to articulate the challenges they face in today’s world. Born to Perform’s mission is to inspire audiences to leave with a sense of unity and optimism about Africa, showcasing how local youth are at the forefront of positive change and demonstrating that this continent is in capable hands.

Born to Perform 2025: The Future Takes the Stage will celebrate the pinnacle of all the platform’s shows and initiatives, showcasing the stories and achievements of the young performers with the incredible Zinah Rose and Graeme Watkins as Mc’s as well as other “Star” Graduates from Stageworx including the formidable Yahto Kraft and John Tsenoli.

The production will also highlight the significant role that the arts play in community development, educational environments and personal growth, including the importance of school musicals in the lives of young creatives. Among other contributors, there will be input from Fourways High School, King David Victory Park, St. Vincent’s School for the Deaf, the National School of the Arts as well a special segment for Adcock Ingram OTC Sponsors of Brave as we celebrate a month of Hope with HOPETOBER.

This milestone event will mark the inaugural co-production with Howard Events, whose contributions to our endeavours have been invaluable in previous years.

Born to Perform 2025: The Future Takes the Stage will be on stage at the Teatro at Montecasino on 27 September at 13:30 and 18:00 and 28 September at 12:00 and 17:00. Special group booking discounts and school packages are available. Tickets on sale at webtickets.co.za

– MyZA

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Ponte City: Transformation

As the “white flight” of the 1980s and 90s drained the inner city of capital, Ponte City underwent a dramatic and terrifying transformation. By the late 1990s, the building had become a “vertical slum” and a symbol of urban decay. It was famously “hijacked” by gangs; the retail levels were stripped, and the building became a fortress for drug dealing and human trafficking. The most haunting image from this era was the central core. Originally designed to be a light-filled courtyard, it became a literal trash heap. Residents on the upper floors would throw their refuse into the center of the building rather than taking it down. At its worst point, the trash in the core reached five stories high—a mountain of rotting debris, discarded furniture, and even, legend has it, the remains of those who had fallen or jumped.

During this period, the reputation of Ponte was so toxic that there was a serious proposal in 1998 to turn the entire skyscraper into a vertical prison. The plan was eventually scrapped, but the building remained a “no-go zone” for nearly a decade. The turnaround began in the mid-2000s when developers New Metro Property Group and later Dlala Nje began a massive, painstaking refurbishment. They cleared out the tons of trash from the core, restored the lifts (which had often been out of order, forcing residents to climb 50 flights of stairs), and implemented strict security protocols.