SAD: IYASA Founding Member Dies 

Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts (IYASA) has lost one of its founding members, Sibonisiwe Sithole, who died this Thursday morning.

She was 38 years old, having joined the multi-award winning dancing ensemble as a 19-year-old. The dancer-cum- actress was easily one of the longest-serving members at the Bulawayo-based side.

IYASA director Nkululeko Dube, a former school teacher who founded the group in 2001, confirmed the sad news, adding that Sithole died at the United Bulawayo Hospitals after a short illness.

IYASA has over the years nurtured several artistes who after refining their act ditched the posse and pursued solo careers. But Sithole was one individual who stuck with the group since its inception and was now regarded as one of the veterans and leaders of the multi-award-winning ensemble.

Household names such as Sandra Ndebele, Prelude Sibindi, Noma Mkhwananzi and Future Sibanda were groomed at IYASA, but later moved out of the stable to pursue their careers as independent artistes in their own right.

As part of IYASA, Sibonisiwe toured many parts of Africa and European countries such as Sweden, Germany, Austria and Spain.

Sibonisiwe Sithole was one individual who stuck with the group since its inception and was now regarded as one of the veterans and leaders of the multi-award-winning ensemble IYASA.

As a full-time artiste and dancer, she previously disclosed that she had no other source of livelihood outside arts.

Apart from remaining steadfastly committed to the growth of IYASA, Sibonisiwe was also now involved in nurturing younger, new group members.

Credit: Zimbabwe Voice

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