“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.” Mandela
6/666
A contemporary musical dance drama
Bat Centre: Saturday 20 December 2025 at 6pm
Ulozolo Youth Organisation presents 6/666 – a once off dance / drama / music production reminding us of the importance of honouring our forefathers in our quest for real freedom and democracy, to be staged in the BAT Centre Hall on Saturday 20 December at 6pm.
“The production takes us through the life journey of some key struggle hero icons: from their early days; their contribution to the Struggle; how they died and why the country should always remember their legacy. Such stories are told through dialogue, music, and dance to give clarity on how South Africa achieved it democracy,” says internationally renowned musical theatre writer, director and choreographer Lucky Cele.
Understanding that next year is an election year, the production reminds us that the power of creating a viable, functioning, thriving South Africa is in all our hands. We need to be mindful of empty election promises, we need to commit personally to working towards doing good, and to use our votes wisely.
“This is something I feel strongly about,” says Cele: “As a generation of young adults, we seem to have forgotten the huge sacrifices our forefathers have made in order for us to be living in a free and fair South Africa: one with a progressive constitution, ample resources, accessible education and many opportunities. We should be living the dream of our ancestors. But we seem to have forgotten what they fought for, and why,” he says.
“I want to remind a new generation of what has gone before. Men and women have given their lives for us to have the country of our dreams. Let us honour their stories and be inspired by them.”
We don’t need to look further than our great leaders: Nelson Mandela viewed democracy as a system of harmony and equal opportunity for all people, stating, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities”. He emphasized that democracy depends on addressing the material needs of the people, especially the poor and marginalized. He also saw a critical connection between democracy and freedom, believing that freedom requires living in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
Reflecting on some of our struggle heroes and their legacy, is told through a blend of spoken word and dance – a fusion of well-known creatives and emerging artists from around KZN. To make it accessible to a wide an audience as possible, the narration is both in English and in Zulu.
A total of 30 dances will tell these amazing stories through contemporary, modern, Zulu, Xhosa, Sophiatown and township dance. The project will also promote acapella music to suit the era. Newly composed songs will be introduced to the show, and use of struggle songs based on the story will also be used.
6/666 is written, directed and choreographed by Lucky Cele and Musical Director is SA Idols top 10 runner up, Nkosinathi Shange, produced by Ulozolo Youth Organisation. A youth led organisation empowering KZN artists with business skills to thrive within the Creative and Cultural Industry.
The production will be staged in the Bat Centre. The production has been supported by the National Arts Council and the National Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
Good to Know:
Date: Saturday 20 December
Time: 6pm – 8pm.
Bat Centre, Esplanade
R80 tickets / Webtickets / at the door
Thought-Provoking 6/666 Music Dance Drama For Durban
