GLM TEAM 
As the dance and wider arts community continues to mourn the loss of David Thatanelo April, his memory will be honoured and celebrated at a special memorial service to be held on Friday May 23 at 11:00 at the Market Theatre in Newtown.
April died unexpectedly on May 10 at his home in Pretoria at the age of 56. He began his dance training at Moving Into Dance with Sylvia “Magogo” Glasser and was among the first cohort to graduate from her legendary Community Dance Teachers Training Course (CDTTC) in 1992, alongside Moeketsi Koena, Vincent Sekwati Mantsoe, Carol Darcy-Jones and Jan Moleya, among others. After his graduation he joined the performance company and toured regionally, nationally and internationally until 1999.
He then went on to work as the company manager, a teacher, assistant to the director and rehearsal director. In 2003 he took on the roles of Executive and Artistic Director until 2008. He then formed his own consultancy and struck out on his own, determined to make a difference in the sphere of arts and culture development. From fundraising to teaching and skills development, planning, marketing and management, April made significant contributions to many companies and individuals.
He has worked with organisations such as the Centre for the Less Good Idea, the Arts & Culture Trust, the National Arts Festival, the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, the FNB Vita Dance Umbrella and Dance Forum.
In 2003 he was the inaugural recipient of the Tunkie Memorial Award for Outstanding Dedication and Leadership in Dance and in 2018, he received the “Management and Leadership in Cultural Economy” award from the WITS School of Arts in partnership with Business and Arts South Africa (BASA). He held a BA (UNISA) and an MA in Cultural Policy and Management (WITS) and at the time of his passing, was a lecturer in Arts Administration and Management and Movement Studies at UP School of Arts.
April’s legacy will be remembered through his gift for teaching and mentoring and of course, for his passion for dance photography which he took up seriously in the last few years.
Recently he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from Dance Pages in the Northern Cape from where he comes. He has worked closely over the years with another MID graduate, Letlhogonolo Thutu Nche, who was mentored by April and continues to advance the legacy of MID in the Northern Cape.
April helped to shape the landscape of South African dance and performance through his multi-faceted training as a dancer, choreographer, teacher and cultural advocate, always willing to give so generously of his time, energy and spirit in a very transformative and inclusive way.
He leaves behind a community which was greatly enriched by his presence and his friends, colleagues and students will miss him for a long time to come. His family is remembered at this very difficult time.
All are invited to come and celebrate David Thatanelo April’s spirit and love of life on Friday May 23 at 11am at the Market Theatre in Newtown.
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