Ikusasa Arts Development an NPC entertainment organisation that strives to preserve culture and heritage of South Africa through music and dance. Ikusasa was established in 2011 by Mandilakhe Gwashu in the dusty streets of KwaZakheIe township in Port Elizabeth, it is a organisation consists of young energence ( Xhosa, Mpondo, Bhaca, Zulu, Tswana and Sepedi) We also do dance workshops.
Most of our members have performed to local, national and international stages with different productions such Iron Man, Splash Festival, Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, San’ya Island, Seychelles Island, Kenya, Zambia, Tunisia, Romania, Switzerland, France, UK, Portugal and we performed in two different international festivals in Anseong Namsadang and Hwseong (South Korea) in October 2018. Ikusasa Arts Development received a participation award at the PE Opera House and South Korea in 2018.
Ikusasa represented the Nelson Mandela Bay District in a 2020 Shukuma provincial dance competition /festival against other 7 districts of the Eastern Cape and were crowned position one for best production and choreography that made them Eastern Cape Dance Champions, Ikusasa also performed at the Eastern Cape MEC Arts & Culture Awards. The founder of the company received a special award from the MEC for performing arts in 2020. He also received an award for dance – production in 2022.
Ikusasa Arts Development is an entertainment company
We welcome disadvantaged youth to the world or performing arts. In order for them to gain skills and to use these skills as tools for moral regeneration
Our vision is to create a company for performing artists in the Eastern Cape. Nurturing talents, creating sustainable jobs and stable income for our artists.
• Promote the general application of the arts in our communities, promote appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of performing arts in our communities.
• To contribute significantly to the cultural capital of African Dance by creating fusion of traditional and contemporary work that is uniquely african through the blending of traditional dance techniques .
• To give entertainment to Nelson Mandela Bay Tourists and other clients
• Provide dance training and performance opportunities for children from our underprivileged communities.To develop children (particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds) physically and psychologically by boosting their self-esteem, teaching them the benefits of individual hard work, as well as teamwork, and a sense of responsibility for themselves and others through dance.
• Provide employment and skills development opportunities for young adults from underprivileged communities.
We welcome disadvantaged youth to the world of performing arts. In order for them to gain skills and to use these skills as tools for moral regeneration