“Life often has a way of rewriting our stories, sometimes in ways we never expect. Mine began with abuse, homelessness, and the daily fight to survive. Between the ages of six and eight, I ran away from home to escape violence. I walked for miles, day and night, through cities and streets in Tanzania. Sometimes I hid beneath the chassis of buses, hoping they would take me far enough to never be found. For more than ten years, the streets became my home. That time left me feeling invisible, broken, and unsure of where I belonged. Dance became a way to reclaim control of my story, transform pain into strength, and envision a future I never thought possible.”

Samwel Japhet is a Tanzanian dance artist, choreographer, and social entrepreneur who found his voice through dance after a childhood marked by homelessness and abuse. He works at the intersection of dance, storytelling, and social issues, using movement as a tool for artistic expression, storytelling, and reflection on social and political realities. His choreographic approach blends dance with visual storytelling, real-life experiences, text, music, and dialogue to explore human relationships and societal dynamics.

He is particularly interested in cross-cultural collaboration, building artistic relationships between Africa and the world. His work has toured festivals and theaters across Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as in the Americas (USA and Canada), including the Netherlands, South Korea, South Africa, Portugal, Mozambique, Germany, Ethiopia, Italy, Burkina Faso, Latvia, Austria, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, UK, Nigeria, Rwanda, Russia, Senegal, Uganda, Burundi, Greece, DR Congo, Israel, and Kenya. Through his work, he strives to address global challenges and build a culture where art not only reflects reality but inspires new possibilities.

Awards and Fellowships

A 2021 Seed Award recipient from the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development in the Netherlands, Samwel is also a 2024–2026 Global Fellow with The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics at Georgetown University and a Salzburg Global Fellow. He graduated from MUDA Africa Dance Institute in Tanzania. In 2019, he participated in a five-month residency at the Seoul International Dance Festival as part of the Asia & Africa & Latin America Dance Exchange in South Korea, hosted by the Seoul Section of the International Dance Council CID-UNESCO and CPI (Cultural Partnership Initiative).

Convene: Artistic Projects, Platforms, and Cross-Cultural Collaborations Producer • Co-Curator • Project Manager

Beyond his choreographic work, Samwel Japhet is active in producing performance tours, curating, and managing artistic platforms, international exchanges, and capacity-building initiatives. His work focuses on strengthening the Tanzanian dance ecosystem, expanding opportunities for emerging artists, and building bridges between African and global artistic communities.

UMOJA Residency Program (2021–2022) – Co-manager

UMOJA promoted gender balance and social cohesion through the arts in a fully funded, five-week multidisciplinary residency. The program featured workshops and fringe events,uniting East African and European artists in Tanzania. Supported by EUNIC through the European Spaces of Culture initiative, partners included Nantea Dance Company, Muda Africa, Nafasi Art Space, Chi Temu Management, CityLAB/Ardhi University, Department of Creative Arts at UDSM, National Arts Council (BASATA), and the Embassies of Spain, France, Poland, and Italy, Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut, EU Delegation to Tanzania, and East African Community.

Co-founder and Producer of Nantea Dance Company

As co-founder and producer of Nantea Dance Company, a Tanzanian company creating contemporary performances and community projects, Samwel contributes to presenting and touring progressive works at the intersection of dance and other disciplines. The company empowers emerging dancers, promotes Tanzanian dance internationally, and engages in cross-cultural collaborations. Committed to expanding its artistic reach, Nantea has developed a strong presence locally, across East Africa, and internationally. Under the company, Samwel has co-produced several key initiatives, including:

A Nest of Dance (Kiota cha Dansi) – 2025–ongoing – Co-curator / Co-producer

Nantea Dance Company, in partnership with Goethe-Institut Tanzania, launched A Nest of Dance (Kiota cha Dansi), an inclusive platform that enables Tanzanian dancers to showcase and explore diverse movement styles and stories. Running bi-monthly from May to November 2025 and continuing beyond, the program features curated performances, artist talks, and open discussions, bringing together pioneers and emerging dancers for creativity, dialogue, and community connection.

Contemporary Dance Night (2018–2020) – Co-curator / Co-producer

Nantea Dance Company initiated Contemporary Dance Night, a bi-annual platform showcasing emerging contemporary dance artists from Tanzania and East Africa. The program promoted cultural exchange, experimentation, and professional growth, featuring works from regional and international artists. Supported by partners including the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania, British Council, Prince Claus Fund, Alliance Française, MUDA Africa Dance Institute, Eye Film, and others.

Nje Ndani – Outreach Dance Program (2018–present) – Co-curator / Co-producer

An initiative empowering emerging Tanzanian dance artists through training, mentorship, and entrepreneurship tools. The program encourages artistic growth, collaboration, and international networking for dancers in Tanzania.