Stephan Welz & Co are including a charity auction to raise funds for The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT). All proceeds received from the sale of these lots will help ensure the continuation of the SABT. The auction will take place on Wednesday, 21 April 2010 at 6.30pm at 13 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Established in 2001, the SABT has forged a central niche in the local dance sector and is the country's largest professional ballet company and has established itself as a major player in the performing arts with impressive productions of classical ballets, new works by South African choreographers and collaborators across international boundaries. International stars such as Mara Galeazzi (Royal Ballet), Guillaume Côté (National Ballet of Canada) and Maina Gielgud (English National Ballet) have worked and performed with SABT. In addition to the professional company, and under the auspices of SABT, five Outreach Programmes are managed (in Mamelodi, Alexandra, Soweto, Eersterus and Katlehong) as well as an extra-curricular Ballet Academy for high school students and a Graduate (apprenticeship) Programme.

On November 10 2009, The SABT Board announced that the SABT, although debt-free, was facing severe financial challenges and that, if substantial immediate funding was not found, the Board would have to take robust action to preserve the integrity of the company. The auction is one of several fundraising initiatives undertaken by the Company to raise the much needed funds.

SABT wishes to acknowledge Stephen Welz & Co, Mrs Carol Botha and the Joburg Theatre for its support.

Please address all enquiries regarding this interesting and worthwhile auction to our Johannesburg office: 011 880 3125 or email jhb@swelco.co.za. Visit the website www.swelco.co.za

Members of The South African Ballet Theatre were invited to perform at the prestigious annual Marie Claire Prix D'Excellence Beauty Awards on March 16th at The Venue in Melrose Arch.

Seen here in their gowns designed by local fashion designers Black Coffee are (left - right) Lauryn Summerley, Shannon Glover, Chloé Grové, Nicole Ferreira, Yolandi Olckers and Sanmarie Kreuzhuber (in front).

Swan Lake opened on March 12th at the Joburg Theatre to a capacity house, VIP guests bid farewell to long - standing Chairman Mr Don MacRobert at a private function before the performance.

Well known faces were spotted in the audience: (main) Ally, Gemma & Don MacRobert
(t.right) Grant & Bev Rogerson
(middle) Khanyi Dhlomo, Penny Ndlela & Swaady Martin
(b.left) Elsa Lakic & Irma Smit
(b.right) Cedric Ntumba, Jena Mukina, Thembi Radebe & Lala Sepeng

SABT Members Yolandi Olckers, Guy Wheatstone and Thabani Ntuli (seen here in costume for 'Swan Lake') proudly promote the YOU MAKE JOBURG GREAT campaign

SABT and the Mapungubwe Hotel Apartments hosted the first of a series of Business Breakfasts on Tuesday February 23rd. Guests were treated to a hearty breakfast in an informal, relaxed environment while guest speaker MEC for Finance Mr Gladstone Nkomfe encouraged ventures and partnerships between the different sectors in the inner city.

The next Business Breakfast will be on April 20th.

On Sunday, February 13, The SABT Academy hosted guest teacher Mr Vladimri Isaaev at the SABT studios. 65 dancers from both the Academy and various private studios attended the Vaganova classes.

On Saturday, February 20, SABT hosted students of the Joanne Bobrow & Tracey McNiven ballet studio. The dancers, along with their parents sat entranced as the SABT dancers did their daily class followed by rehearsals for Swan Lake. Teachers Joanne and Tracey organised the event in order to contribute towards SABTs ongoing fundraising efforts.

Members of SABT's Graduate programme visited Killarney Mall on Wednesday February 17th to promote the upcoming season of Swan Lake.

On Wednesday, February 17, it was announced that the long-standing Chairman of The South African Ballet Theatre Board Mr Don MacRobert would be stepping down from the position which he has held for the past nine years. Mr Cedric Ntumba, a member of The SABT Board, was appointed as the new Chairman.

As founding Chairman of SABT, Mr MacRobert was instrumental in establishing the SABT and growing it into the country's largest professional ballet company.

Mr MacRobert obtained his BA LLB Degrees at UCT; was called to the Bar in the UK, through Grays Inn, and then qualified as a patent attorney (FSAIPA). He was also the founder Chairman of the Lawyers for Human Rights movement in Pretoria. Mr MacRobert was President of the Pretoria Chamber of Commerce and served on various ASSOCOM sub-committees. He currently serves on the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris and is a past President of the Licensing Executive Society (SA), and also served on the Credit Committee of Investec, and now serves on the Credit Committee of IDC. Mr MacRobert practised for 17 years with Adams & Adams, in Pretoria, having become a registered patent agent and then moved on to handle a range of high court litigation matters mainly in the trademarks and common law (passing off) areas. After working in Soweto, he was invited to join Edward Nathan Sonnenberg. Mr MacRobert has pioneered several educational initiatives in previously disadvantaged areas such as the Get Ahead Foundation. He was honoured with the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International and Archbishop Desmond Tutu conferred on him the St Michael's Award at the Michaelhouse Centenary celebrations.

He is at present a consultant to Edward Nathan Sonnenberg, corporate lawyers, as well as Adams & Adams, Intellectual Property lawyers. He co-authored the South African version of the lay person's guide to intellectual property, from Edison to iPod.

Acknowledging Mr MacRobert's contribution towards keeping classical ballet alive, SABT Artistic Director Mr Iain MacDonald said "we, at SABT, have travelled a long journey filled with many challenges, excitement and success - Mr MacRobert has been with us every step of this journey and we acknowledge his unflappable support of the Company as well as his wise counsel and leadership".

Mr MacRobert will be presented with the inaugural SABT Lifetime Honary Membership award during the upcoming season of Swan Lake at the Joburg Theatre. This Lifetime Membership Award will be presented to individuals who have given tremendous support to SABT and Mr MacRobert will be the first inductee.

As SABT's new Chairman, Mr Cedric Ntumba brings his extensive business and financial experience to the position. He is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Directors. Mr Ntumba also forms part of the finance and deal teams at Capitalworks Investment Partners, a private equity house.

Mr Ntumba has significant Board experience in both the private and public sectors. Some of his responsibilities include the following: He sits on the Board of Directors of the Railway Safety Regulator, a department of Transport institution, where he is a member of its audit committee and chairs its finance and procurement committee. Our Parliament has recently extended his term for a further 3 years on this Board. Of late, he was a member of the Audit Committee of the Gauteng Provincial Treasury. He also chairs the Audit Committee of the Energy Sector Education and Training Authority.

He obtained his professional qualifications with Deloitte and Touche Southern Africa and went on to be involved in numerous leadership development programmes including the Gordon Institute of Business Science 's Dialogue Circle, the African Leadership Academy Mentorship initiative and the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa JHB (ABASA) - where he co-founded the ABASA Leadership Programme and was the body's Board Vice-Chairman.

Mr MacRobert said "I wish all the best to Mr Ntumba in his new role as Chairman of the Board and I believe that he is well equipped to take this organization forward". Mr Ntumba has received the full support of the Board.

The South African Ballet Theatre's Academy is pleased to announce that Mr Vladimir Issaev will be in Johannesburg on Sunday, February 14 to teach dancers aged nine and up.

The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) Academy was established in order to give promising young dancers the opportunity to supplement their training with private teachers. The dancers do most of their performances in groups in order to prepare for the corps de ballet work should they enter a professional ballet company. The dancers' ages range from thirteen to sixteen and they take regular classes with a highly skilled pool of both local and internationally acclaimed teachers. These teachers also choreograph for the Academy's annual performance at the Val Whyte bursary gala performance.

The SABT Academy dancers are also often called on to swell the ranks of The South African Ballet Theatre's ranks during the company's seasons. They also perform with the SABT at corporate functions. The SABT Academy aims to contribute to the development of future generations of South African ballet dancers and works closely with the company management to further their mutual interests.

Mr Isaaev is a graduate of the Ballet Academy of Voronezh, Russia and of the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS), Moscow, Russia. He is currently Ballet Master, Choreographer and Artistic Director of Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, former Ballet Master of Ballet Nacional de Caracas-Teresa Caracas-Teresa Carreňo and of Miami City Ballet School.

Since 1991, Vladimir Issaev has been invited by the Dance Educators of America Association and by the Russian ballet seminar to hold seminars. These seminars are held in conjunction with great stars of the Kirov Ballet such as Alla Sizova and Irina Kolpakova in Florida, Pennsylvania, Ballet Theatre of Scranton, California University, Santa Barbara and Sacramento.

Mr Isaaev has choreographed several ballets in Russia, United States, Puerto Rico and Venezuela for such renowned institutions as The Vaganova Ballet Academy and The Maryinsky (Kirov) Theatre in St Petersburg, Ballet Academies of Voronezh and Frounze, Ballet School Teresa Carreňo, Ballet Metropolitano de Caracas, Ballet Nacional de Caracas Teresa Carreňo itself, Ballet Concerto de Puerto Rico, Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, Miami City Ballet School and the Georgia Youth Ballet.

The workshop takes place at the SABT studios, Hoofd Street Braamfontein ion Sunday, February 14th 2010 as follows:

The entry fee is R 250.00 per dancer per class. Should parents or teachers wish to view the class, the entry fee is R200.

For further information or to reserve a place, please contact Mrs. Jenny Barlow: SABT Academy Director on 011 782 6597

On November 10 2009, The Board of The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) announced that the SABT, although debt-free, was facing severe financial challenges and that, if substantial immediate funding was not found, the Board would have to take robust action to preserve the integrity of the company. The tremendous wave of goodwill which this announcement garnered resulted in many patrons responding to the various fundraising initiatives undertaken by the management, staff and dancers if SABT. By the end of December 2009 an amount of R1.9 million had been raised, in addition to the R2 million that had already been previously committed to the SABT for 2010. However a further R4 million is needed to enable the SABT to continue with operations as normal and in order for SABT to continue to present world-class productions as well as to maintain the development programmes running in Mamelodi, Eersterus, Katlehong, Alexandra and Soweto.

Thus in December, following a consultation process, SABT Management were obliged to issue Section 189 letters to all staff and several staff received notice of their retrenchment. The affected staff will be ad-hoced back for the SABT's March/April production of Swan Lake - however, should the necessary additional funding not have been sourced by April 2010 these staff will then be unemployed and further restructuring will need to be explored.

On November 10 2009, The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) announced that although debt-free, it is facing severe financial challenges and, if substantial immediate funding is not found, then the Board will have to take robust action to preserve the integrity of the Company.

Despite these trying times, SABT is determined to continue presenting world class productions and is therefore pleased to announce a special early-bird double deal on ticket prices to two of its seasons for 2010 - the ideal Christmas gift for ballet lovers!

Patrons who book for both SABT's Swan Lake and their Carmen season at the Joburg Theatre will pay a lower combined-rate price for their tickets.

The first season is the world's best - known ballet, Swan Lake. The Swan Lake season will be performed at the Joburg Theatre, Braamfontein from March 12 to April 4 2010. Dating back to 1876, the tragic love story of the swan maiden Odette and Prince Siegfried has proved itself to be the one of the most endearing ballets in the repertoire with audiences around the world. The South African Ballet Theatre's production will take its cue from the traditional Petipa version of the ballet whilst incorporating fresh elements tailored to suit the Company. The ballet will have a shorter running time and there will be only one interval.

Wednesday and Thursday evening performances of SABT's 2010 Joburg Theatre seasons will start at 19h30 instead of the usual 20h00, to enable patrons to have an enjoyable night at the theatre yet not get home too late during the week.

A Swan Lake Open Day will be presented on Saturday 27 February 2010, starting at 10h00 and ending at 13h00. Open Days at the SABT's Braamfontein studios are a rare opportunity for the public to catch a glimpse into the behind the scenes preparations for a season.

Booking for Open Day are already open with Mr Edgar Moagi on + 27 11 877 6898 or email admin@saballettheatre.co.za. The cost is R60 per person.

The ballet Carmen returns to Johannesburg, after a seven year absence, from August 13 to 29 2010. The fiery saga of Carmen and Don José comes to the stage in a sensual version by acclaimed Cape Town choreographer Veronica Paeper. Set to Bizet's famous music score, Paeper's ballet explores the volatile relationship between the streetwise Carmen and young officer Don José who loses his heart to Carmen. Paeper's Carmen captures the passion of southern Spain in a ballet highlighted by spectacular pas de deux for the principal dancers plus showpieces for the corps de ballet of matadors, smugglers, fiesta ladies and gypsies.

A Carmen Open Day will be presented on Saturday 31 July 2010, from 10h00 to 13h00. The cost is R60 per person

Booking for both Open Days as well as the combined ticket offer for Swan Lake and Carmen seasons are open with Mr Moagi on + 27 11 877 6898 or email admin@saballettheatre.co.za.

General bookings for Swan Lake and Carmen are open through Computicket and include 10% discounts for block bookings of ten tickets or more, plus student and pensioner discounts upon presentation of a valid student or pensioner's card.

The Board of The South African Ballet Theatre ('SABT') have announced that the SABT, although debt-free, is facing severe financial challenges and, if substantial immediate funding is not found, then the Board will have to take robust action to preserve the integrity of the company.

SABT was founded by six ballet dancers in February 2001, following the June 2000 closure of the State Theatre and all its associated arts companies. Due to the nature of a ballet company and the specialist requirements involved, ballet is not a self-sustainable business and SABT has always been reliant on external funding for two-thirds of its budget. SABT's annual budget amounts to R12 million and a typical season costs R2 million to produce. Whilst the SABT has performed to an average of 40 000 audience members per annum, ticket sales only constitute one-third of the income required and SABT has continually kept ticket prices at an affordable rate to enable their performances to be accessible to all South Africans. The SABT has engaged in cost-cutting and reassessment exercises on an ongoing basis to ensure the viability of the company - however, with the SABT being so dependent on external funding, the recent economic slump has had a severe impact on the availability of these funds.

Prominent national bodies from which entities such as the SABT traditionally gain funding have not been forthcoming, despite repeated approaches.

South Africa has always produced outstanding classical ballet dancers who have become stars both at home and abroad and SABT counts among its ranks Senior Principal Angela Malan and Principal Dancers Burnise Silvius and Anya Carstens as well as a wealth of up-and-coming young talent in the form of dancers such as Patrick Mngeni. The SABT has performed internationally to critical acclaim in Moscow (2006) and Copenhagen (2005) and has engaged in many international exchanges and collaborations, most notably with The Royal Danish Ballet, the Royal Ballet (London) (Mara Galeazzi - Gala with SABT (2007)), English National Ballet and the Royal Swedish Ballet, as well as working with guest teachers such as Maina Gielgud (former Artistic Director - Australian Ballet, currently with English National Ballet), Madame Claude Bessey (Paris Opera School) and Brian Loftus (International guest teacher and guest coach on the films 'The Turning Point' (with Mikhail Baryshnikov) and 'Nijinsky'). In 2007 SABT's full-length 'Swan Lake' was broadcast on national television and repeated in 2008 due to public demand. In 2008 SABT was the winner of the 2007 PetroSA Proudly SA Nation Builder of the Year Award for their work with their Outreach Programmes in Soweto, Alexandra, Katlehong, Mamelodi, Eersterus and Melville. The SABT has just released their first full-length production on DVD, 'Coppélia'.

Through its outreach programmes, SABT teaches ballet on a weekly basis to 250 children in Soweto, Alexandra, Mamelodi, Eersterus, Kathlehong and Melville, with talented children from the programmes coming to SABT's studios weekly for additional classes to ensure that they will one day be potential members of SABT. All these classes are provided free of charge by the SABT as well as their dance attire. A dancer's training towards a professional career is a long one - on average ten to fifteen years - and in two to three years time the SABT was looking forward to welcoming the first of these students into the SABT family after 8 years of investment in these programmes. Along with the future of the company, the continuation of these classes and programmes is now in severe jeopardy.

"It is incredible to think that Joburg Theatre could be without The South African Ballet Theatre in the near future," says the Joburg Theatre's CEO, Bernard Jay." The continent's finest dance studios would stand empty.  Skilled youngsters with dreams we all encourage them to realise will be out of work. The country's most highly praised performing arts company could be 'no more'.  And all because - despite the hundreds of applications made and meetings held by the ballet company's determined directors - no secure, long-term funding was ever forthcoming, either by government or corporate sponsorship."

"No world class ballet company such as SABT exists without funding," notes Jay. "In such a World Class City as Jo'burg, it seems extraordinary that the minimal amount of financial support required - within the bigger picture of maintaining the rich heritage of African culture - could not be forthcoming.  I can only hope and pray that this last-minute plea by SABT will bring out 'the uncle in the furniture business' who has, perhaps, a secret adoration of ballet."

Iain MacDonald, Artistic Director of SABT echoes Mr Jay's sentiments. "We find ourselves in a situation that is of grave concern. It is sad to think that the potential job opportunities for 300 dancers currently training in the Company's Outreach programme could be jeopardized. These dancers are being groomed to join the industry, some as professional dancers with The South African Ballet Theatre.

SABT has steadily expanded its repertoire to include works by South African choreographers as well as rework the popular classics. We have also painstakingly rebuilt part of the repertoire which was lost when the State Theatre was mothballed and it would be a tragedy for us all, dancers and audiences if this was once again lost".

If substantial funds are not received and or committed within the next few months, then the board of the SABT will have to take urgent and robust action to preserve the integrity of the SABT, Interested parties are kindly requested to contact one of the following who will be able to provide several options for individual, private and corporate donors who wish to ensure and secure the future of the SABT:

Iain MacDonald (011) 877 6895 iain@saballettheatre.co.za

Fiona Budd (011) 877 6893 fiona@saballettheatre.co.za

In what is the first endorsement agreement of its kind in South Africa, The South African Ballet Theatre (SABT) announced yesterday that it has appointed Ondine as the company's official wine.

Fiona Budd, co-Director of SABT, the country's largest professional ballet company, released information on the 2010 partnerships with both Ondine and Le Canard Restaurant in Sandton. An initiative will be put into action between SABT and the restaurant, and "will involve awareness and fundraising campaigns to celebrate the Company's ninth birthday in 2010". This will include a series of intimate Ballet Dinners, beginning with the "Gala Dinner in Nine Acts" in February, featuring a multi-course menu paired with performances by the stars of the SABT. The served wines will be from the Ondine range, whose Chenin Blanc and Merlot recently won Veritas Gold Medals.

Iain Macdonald, Artistic Director of SABT, a non-profit making organisation, says that the "perfection of our ballet and the perfection of Le Canard, go hand in hand, like a perfect pas de deux."

Theo Basson, owner and co-winemaker of Ormonde Private Cellar on the West Coast, who produce the award-winning Ondine, is delighted that the wine has been chosen by SABT. "Our Ondine wines are named after the ballet of the same name, choreographed specially for legendary ballerina Margot Fonteyn, by Sir Frederick Ashton. The wines represent earthly beauty and fluid grace, which is synonymous with ballet dancers", says Basson.

Negotiations are in place to ensure that the wines will be presented at SABT's Opening Nights, as well as at special studio tastings and SABT events.

Chef-Patron of Le Canard, Freda Appelbaum, points out that "as a fundraising initiative, for every bottle sold, we have agreed that a portion of sales will go directly to The SABT. We are honoured that in 2010, our 21^st birthday year, we are to be involved closely with the SABT, and honoured too that we are the only venue in the country privileged to present the entire range of all eight Ondine wine varietals."

SABT are actively involved in a number of outreach projects, taking the art form to communities that have not necessarily been exposed to the magic of ballet. SABT performs for, teaches and educates these communities and exposes the children living there to the potential career opportunities within the theatre. The Le Canard/SABT fundraising projects will help ensure the success of these programmes, as well as the full time employment of SABT staff and performers.

"With all the excitement of the SABT partnership we simply cannot wait till next year to start the fundraising projects, and so we have decided to launch the initiative immediately. Our guests are very thrilled." says Chet Diepraam, manager of Le Canard.  Budd concludes by saying that "SABT and Le Canard have a series of really wonderful dinner productions planned for next year. One or two may be a bit cheeky, and we guarantee that all will be enjoyed by lovers of fine ballet, fine wine and fine cuisine."

Ormonde Private Cellars Alexanderfontein label was the official wine for the Springbok's, British Lions Tour in 2009.

The "Gala Dinner in Nine Acts" happens on 9 February 2010, in celebration of the ballet company's 9^th birthday.

For further information, please contact Adele le Roux: Marketing Manager at Ormonde Private Cellar at adelelr@telkomsa.net, Samantha at The South African Ballet Theatre at samantha@saballettheatre.co.za or Chet Diepraam of Le Canard at lecanard@icon.co.za

On Wednesday, September 2nd, SABT's Ballet Mistress and Soloist Lauren Dixon-Seager gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Cora weighing 3.3kg. Cora and Mom are doing well - Lauren is already back at the barre in Company class! Seen here with them is proud father and husband, Donovan Slade.

Formal dinner with Tito Mboweni

On Tuesday, October 13 2009, SABT honoured its Patron Governor Tito T Mboweni at a formal dinner held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Johannesburg. Held in association with Business Day, the event celebrated the Governor's tenure with the South African Reserve Bank as well as his support of SABT. The event was sponsored by BDFM, Nedbank and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

As part of the ongoing efforts to make classical ballet as accessible as possible, SABT and Izithombe TV Productions launched 'The Sandman's Tale' - an education DVD on Friday, October 9 2009 at the Fringe Theatre, Braamfontein. The DVD will soon be available with French and Zulu narrations. Tracks include a full - length version of 'Coppélia', 'The Sandman's Tale' - a 24 minute children's version of Coppélia, a Ballet Class 101 taught by Iain MacDonald and much more!

To order your copy of the DVD, click here for a pdf order form.

Seen at the launch were: Iain MacDonald (Artistic Director SABT), Amos Engelbrecht, Mariette Cloete (CEO Izithombe TV productions), Werner Smith (Financial Director Izithombe TV productions) and Floris Kotze and also SABT Graduate members Jessica Overton, Craig Pedro, Angelique Harris, Rachel Abrahams and Kirsty Mansfield.

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