Joanna Holewa Chrona
Joanna Holewa Chrona is a Swedish dancer, choreographer, project leader and Dj located in Sweden and South Africa. Her dance practice is based on several movement traditions: from the technically demanding, and political dance styles popping from the United States to isiPantsula, Sabar and Afro-Cuban dance from South Africa, Senegal and Cuba. During the last twelve years Joanna has participated as a dancer in a number of larger and smaller productions, both nationally and internationally. Since 2020, the focus has been on her own produced stage performances and festivals, exchanges and workshops. Joanna’s aspirations and inspiration stem from the freedom, honesty, and purity of improvisation as well as from the transformative and healing power of dance, music, nature, and human connection.
Joanna’s work is international and interdisciplinary and comes in different constellations. Joanna Holewa Chrona started her collaboration with South African artists in 2015, with the Pantsula dance company Real Actions. Her engagement has only increased since then, through her non-profit organization, AFIA, which celebrates African cultures and connecting people, and whose board consists of board members from both Sweden and South Africa. Afia hosts an annual festival called ‘AFIA FESTIVAL’ showcasing South African culture since 2016.
Many of Joanna’s works have South African-inspired music, lyrics, and movements. Joanna’s interest lies in respectfully combining cultures and perspectives, always with the cooperation of all participating artists. One of AFIAS recent and still touring pieces is YEBO YES! With a Swedish/South African cast and creative team.
Joanna has also formed a duo with Yared Tilahun Cederlund called LAND BEFORE TIME. Together they are performing both indoor and outdoor performances on the theme of water and connection, and their latest piece Waterkind as been selected by Aerowaves as part of their Twenty25 artists.
As of 2024/2025 Joanna is for the first time embarking a journey as a solo-choreographer and solo-dancer on stage with the piece “Phakathi Inside”.
As a DJ Joanna goes by the name of Shuwana and is continuing her relationship and interest for South African culture as she plays Afrotech and house music haling from South Africa.
Photo credits: Erik Linghede
Phakathi Inside
Joanna Holewa Chrona’s first solo work, “Phakathi Inside,” is a solo odyssey, a return to the inner body and the force dwelling within. It explores the physical and spiritual dimensions, strengthening the manifestation of an inner avatar—an embodiment of a powerful spirit in physical form. Through a unique approach to self and movement, Joanna Holewa Chrona investigates the purpose of dance as a vessel to navigate life’s peaks and valleys. What unfolds when one discovers that the magic resides within ourselves, and that the true superpower lies in the art of transmutation?
As Joanna’s avatar embarks on her journey, the room metamorphoses, enveloped in light and sound that accentuate her essence and presence. Slow and intricate movements intertwine with bursts of restrained volcanic energy, embodying the life that animates the physical form.
With the music in this work, Joanna is carrying on her lengthy engagement and exchange with South African artists and culture, which started in 2015. This piece has South African-inspired electronic music with lyrics in isiXhosa sung by Ntsika Fana Nxganga. The name “Phakathi Inside” is a South African slang mixing isiZulu with English meaning “Inside Inside”.
Choreography & Dance: Joanna Holewa Chrona
Lightdesign: Ivan Wahren
Soundcomposer: Yared T Cederlund
Costume design: Lucy Siame
Vocals: Ntsika Fana Ngxanga
Photohrapher & edit: Erik Linghede
Movement research together with: Linda Hayford
Produced by: Joanna Holewa Chrona & Nordberg Movement
Co-producer: MDT
Support by: Konstnärsnämnden, Kulturrådet, Ubuntu Village, Stockholm Stad