Ballet saved this Cape Town Dancer’s Life

This Cape Town based ballet dancer David Maluleka’s every move is an act of bravery. He told Beautiful News that he remembers being so anxious during his first performance that he forgot the dance.

But something snapped, Maluleka added, as the audience became silent and the lights dimmed.

“I had the impression that people would pay attention when I spoke.”

For the dancer, who had been looking for a method to communicate what he was going through, it was a revelation. Even though he and his three younger siblings had parents who genuinely wanted the best for them, things took a turn for the worst when Maluleka’s father became unwell and was unable to work full-time.

He clarified, “That led to alcohol abuse, which had a snowball effect.”

“I had a very loving and caring childhood at first, but it turned into physical and mental abuse when I was in my teens. My dad used our house as a boxing bag when he was intoxicated”.
The one thing that didn’t make him anxious was his time at the Dance for All Studio.

Maluleka remarked, “I would dance in class without having to think about what’s happening at home.”

However, this served as a distraction rather than a total escape for the adolescent who was still getting his bearings. Maluleka was unable to continue after a particularly unpleasant episode at home.

“I lost my voice, my sense of power, and my sense of direction at that point,” he stated, adding that he attempted to commit suicide when he was 17 years old.

Maluleka’s first concern upon waking up in the hospital was what his dance instructor would think about him skipping class.

“I don’t think I would have survived that if it weren’t for dance,” he remarked.

“I was resilient because of those things. Although things are still going on, it will be alright if you can at least attend the following lesson”.

Maluleka has realised that dance gives him a voice and that he can thrive despite any obstacles he faces, thus he is no longer attempting to flee his situation.

He declared, “I don’t want life to define who I am.”

Editor’s note: Maluleka has realised that dance gives him a voice and that he can thrive despite any obstacles he faces, thus he is no longer attempting to flee his situation.

Description: This Cape Town based ballet dancer David Maluleka’s every move is an act of bravery. After trying to end is life, driven by what was happening in his life, he managed to find solace in dance.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Do4SA