Prestigious judges to attend the 13th South African International Ballet Competition in Cape Town

Jayden Samuels,16, is among several outstanding dancers competing from South Africa this year.

Cape Town’s Artscape Theatre is set to become the epicenter of the global ballet world next month as it hosts the 13th South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC) from 4 to 6 August 2026. Organisers have unveiled a prestigious, high-caliber international jury, signaling the event's growing influence on the world stage.

The 13th edition of the SAIBC will welcome an esteemed adjudication panel featuring distinguished performers, educators, and coaches from across the globe. The jury brings together decades of expertise to evaluate young dancers in the Scholar (9–12), Junior (13–16), and Senior (17–22) divisions.

The panel includes:

SAIBC founder Dirk Badenhorst, Artistic Director of Mzansi Ballet, noted that the competition’s prestige has officially reached new heights. The SAIBC has been accepted into the International Federation of Ballet Competitions—a testament to the high standards of the competitors and the professional caliber of the jury. "It is such a great honour to be invited to be part of this exclusive club of international ballet competitions," said Badenhorst.