At just 14 years old, Reddam House Bedfordview Grade 8 student Unathi Nkuta has achieved a milestone many young dancers dream of, making her professional ballet debut in a principal role in Michael Jackson Heal the World Ballet at the Pieter Toerien Theatre, Montecasino.
Produced and choreographed by Angela Revie of Mzansi Ballet, the production followed the journey of a ballerina confronting difficult childhood experiences and discovering strength through adversity, set to the music of Michael Jackson.
For Unathi, the experience became far more than a performance. It was a lesson in discipline, resilience, storytelling and the importance of learning to trust herself. “Honestly, I didn’t understand the weight of it all until we started rehearsing,” she says. “It’s definitely one of the happiest moments of my ballet journey so far.”
The themes of resilience and self-acceptance resonated deeply with her. “Heal the World is about overcoming challenges, finding strength through difficult experiences and learning to accept yourself. I think that’s a message many people can relate to, and it’s an honour to bring that story to life through dance and the music of Michael Jackson.” Unathi’s role formed part of the ballerina’s journey of self-discovery and healing, requiring her to communicate emotion through movement as much as technique.
Her path to the stage began when she was six years old. What started as childhood ballet lessons quickly developed into a passion, with countless hours spent in technique classes, rehearsals and coaching sessions. “I’ve been in love with ballet since my first class,” she says. Unathi has been a student of Mzansi Ballet for the last two years.
Preparing for a production of this scale demanded more than learning choreography. It required emotional maturity, focus and the ability to connect deeply with the story. “Because Heal the World is such an emotionally driven ballet, I had to focus on storytelling as much as the technical side of dancing. Every rehearsal helped me grow as both a dancer and a performer.”
Balancing professional-level ballet with the demands of school life required careful planning and considerable discipline. “It’s hard sometimes, but learning time management from primary school has helped me a lot,” says Unathi. “Some days were very busy, especially when rehearsals, shows and assignments happened at the same time, but I learnt how important it is to stay focused and use my time wisely.”
The experience also taught her lessons that reached beyond the stage. “Ballet has taught me discipline, resilience and patience. It has shown me that improvement takes time and that mistakes are part of learning,” she says. “In Heal the World, the story is about turning pain into strength, and I think that’s something I’ve learnt through ballet too. I’ve discovered that I can push through challenges, keep improving and not give up when things get difficult. Those lessons help me in school and in everyday life as well.”
Unathi credits her family, teachers and the broader Reddam House Bedfordview community for helping her pursue her ambitions both on and off the stage. “Their support has meant everything to me. I am happy to be part of Reddam House Bedfordview, a school that celebrates its students holistically. Knowing that I can reach out to my teachers at any time to catch up on my work is very comforting. I am so proud to represent my school on stage.”
According to Stephen Hazley, Executive Head of Reddam House Bedfordview, Unathi’s achievement reflects both talent and determination. “It is wonderful to see our students follow their passions and achieve so well at such an early age,” he says. “Dancing, especially ballet, takes an incredible amount of commitment and time to be good. But to perform on a professional stage like this takes a special type of drive and determination.”
Hazley says Reddam House Bedfordview values the role that pursuits beyond the classroom play in student development. “Our school has a vast and varied extra-curricular programme to ensure that every student can discover the talents they’ve been blessed with. We believe that what our students do outside the classroom adds tremendous value to their growth and development, and we will do all we can to help them reach their goals.”
Looking ahead, Unathi remains committed to both her education and her artistic growth. She hopes one day to use her platform to promote arts and culture, particularly ballet, in underprivileged communities, while also advocating for greater awareness and inclusion for neurodiverse individuals. “Through my love for the arts and commitment to community upliftment, I hope to inspire positive change and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others,” she says.
