WeeklySA_AdminPLIGHT: Nearly 200 dancers, musicians and choristers will bring the ancient kingdom of Mapungubwe to life at a University of Pretoria benefit concert raising funds for graduates whose certificates remain withheld because of historical student debt…
By Len Maseko
The story of one of southern Africa’s earliest kingdoms will be retold through ballet, orchestral music and choral performance when the University of Pretoria stages its annual Principal’s Concert next month.
The concert, featuring a new staging of The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe – The Ballet, will take place at the university’s Aula theatre on October 7 and 8.
This year, the cultural showcase will also serve as a benefit concert, with proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales going towards UP’s Degrees Delivered campaign.
The three-year initiative aims to raise R50 million to assist qualifying graduates who have completed their academic requirements but cannot receive their degree certificates because of outstanding historical student debt.
The absence of certificates can prevent affected graduates from securing employment, registering with professional bodies or pursuing further studies—even though they have earned their qualifications.
“Education has the power to transform lives, but its full value can only be realised when graduates are able to take the next step in their careers,” UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen said.
“By supporting this concert, you are helping to unlock opportunities for talented graduates and investing in the futures of individuals, families and communities.”
The production will unite three of the university’s flagship performing ensembles—the UP Symphony Orchestra, Tuks Camerata and the UP Ovuwa Cultural Ensemble—with dancers from Mzansi Ballet and international guest performers.
About 200 artists will take part, including 120 student choristers. Thirty members of the combined choir will perform and move on stage alongside the ballet dancers, making them part of the production’s theatrical action.
The UP Symphony Orchestra will perform under the baton of Dr Schalk van der Merwe.
The production draws inspiration from the ancient kingdom of Mapungubwe and its celebrated Gold Rhino, one of South Africa’s most significant archaeological treasures.
Its staging has a special connection to the university, which is the custodian of the internationally recognised Mapungubwe Collection and Archive. The Gold Rhino is among the artefacts displayed at UP Museums that tell the story of the kingdom and its sophisticated society.
Mzansi Ballet director Dirk Badenhorst said the work was conceived as a distinctly South African production that would tell an important African story through dance.
“Our vision was to tell an important African story through the universal language of dance, while bringing South African dancers, choreographers, composers, designers and musicians together with leading international artists,” he said.
The production combines ballet, live orchestral and choral music, fashion, theatre and visual design to transport the Mapungubwe story from the museum to the stage.
Petersen said the concert demonstrated how the arts could connect people with history and culture while producing meaningful social change.
“Every contribution helps place an earned qualification into the hands of someone ready to contribute to society,” he said.
The performances will begin at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm. Tickets cost between R350 and R550, and proceeds will support the Degrees Delivered campaign, which runs until 2028.
