South African Dancer to Perform in Rio Carnaval’s Premier League

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 28 FEBRUARY 2025 – South African dancer Kate Hill will perform in Rio Carnaval’s premier league as a professional samba dancer. The role of ‘passista’ is among the most highly sought-after positions in the world of carnaval, known for embodying the very essence of the art and its community history through dynamic movements interpreting the fast drumming beats of the ‘bateria’.

Hill has paraded for various schools since 2008; however, she says, “Being a permanent member of the Mocidade passista wing is amongst one of the greatest possible achievements for a samba dancer, and I couldn’t be more humbled to be welcomed by this vibrant, loving community.”

The Johannesburg-born dancer, 40, parades on Tuesday 4 March for Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel, one of Rio de Janeiro's most established samba schools. Mocidade holds numerous championship titles and is renowned for its exceptional drumming group, the 'bateria', where the first ever 'paradinhas' were created. These paradinhas, or rhythmic breaks, have significantly influenced samba music as we know it today.

Founded in 1955 through the community’s love for football and music, Mocidade is based in Vila Vintém, a favela in Padre Miguel, in peri-urban Rio. The school’s theme for the 2025 competitive Special Group parade is: 'Voltando para o futuro – não há limites pra sonhar', translating to 'Returning to the future – dreams have no limits'. The theme signifies a journey through time, blending past traditions with future aspirations, and underscores the limitless potential of dreams and innovation.

Hill is proud to be developing the samba community in South Africa, and even more so to represent her country in Rio. Her love for Mocidade dates to 2006 when she joined the London School of Samba (founded in 1984 by members of Mocidade, and the first samba school in the UK). She became a director of the community-based charity and collaborated with bateria director Fred Turuka and the board to bring Mocidade to London to celebrate the school's 25th birthday. Returning home to South Africa, in 2010, she founded the Johannesburg School of Samba. The school's roots are linked to both the London School of Samba and Mocidade, hence their green and white colors and star emblems, with Mocidade being affectionately known as ‘the guiding star’ by the community. The Johannesburg School of Samba has exciting plans for 2025, including community drumming and dancing workshops, and hopes to invite Brazilian artists for residencies. They welcome any sponsors or partners interested in supporting these initiatives. Hill runs regular samba dance workshops in her studio in Craighall Park, Johannesburg and invites anyone interested to travel with her to Rio before and during carnaval to train and experience the unifying energy of samba.

Samba is more than a celebration; it is a testament to community and resilience. It provides an opportunity for everyone to come together, regardless of challenges and differences. In these times, it serves as a poignant reminder of the strength and unity that can emerge from shared cultural expression.

Contact: Email hey@candelajozi.co.za WhatsApp: +27847114373

Photos provided are from Mocidade Samba School’s first and second technical rehearsals in the world-renowned Sambadrome, the Avenida Marques de Sapucai, where hundreds of thousands gather to watch the parades and rehearsals leading up to carnaval