The Afrika Ablaze Transformation Through Dance Company was started by Glenda Jones in 1999.
Glenda , who despite growing up in one of the most feared ganglands in Cape Town and having had no access to formal training in dance, managed to rise above her negative circumstances by teaching herself to dance, choreograph and produce dance/dramas that today commands the attention and respect of audiences and media throughout South Africa and beyond our borders.
Her first dance classes were held in her lounge, then on open fields under the scorching sun and pouring rain, then from backyards to tiny church halls, until she was given the space in 2004 to conduct formal dance classes at Wynberg High School, where she is currently still operating.
Afrika Ablaze has a very rich history of phenomenal success stories, so we have selected a significant few that helped shape the company over the past ten years.
After one year of having started Afrika Ablaze, the company performed a dance/drama, The Little Mermaid at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival under the sponsorship of Caltex.
A year later the company was singled out to honour Nelson Mandela at the opening of the Gateway to Robben Island Launch. This was to date our most significant highlight in the history of our company. To quote Nelson Mandela after we had danced. “You have made me proud of the youth of South Africa… I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS MOMENT.”
Afrika Ablaze performed in parliament for the welcoming of the Minister of India.
Afrika Ablaze performed for the International Tourism Indaba.
After reviewing the rapid growth rate of the company, Caltex sealed a 3 year sponsorship contract with Afrika Ablaze.
Afrika Ablaze went on to performing several dance/dramas at the Baxter Theatre, Artscape, Durban Playhouse, JHB Market Theatre, Grahamstown National Arts Festival and currently at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. All these shows played to packed houses, standing ovations and rave reviews.
Glenda Jones was appointed as the:
National Dance Specialist for loveLife
Dance Specialist at the University of the Western Cape
Director of The Ackermann’s Dance Academy
Launched the Glenda Jones Production Company in 2009
Head Choreographer for the International l’ OREAL Hair Show
Head Choreographer and Producer for the Education International Congress in 2011
She has also been acknowledged as a Phenomenal Woman by:
Femina Magazine, Woman and Home, A Plus Magazine, The Cape Argus, The Cape Times,
She has appeared on Noleen 3 Talk, Expresso, Cape Town Television, Hectic 9 and Morning Live SABC
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