Kirvan Fortuin was murdered on Friday 12 June, 2020, in Macassar, near Cape Town. On her Facebook page, Artscape CEO Marlene le Roux wrote:
‘Kirvan, beautiful son of Macassar, you left us too soon. We lost a talented artist, a voice of vigor. Against all odds you challenged stereotypes in South Africa, also as an advocate of gay rights. You defied all odds, son of Macassar and became a world renowned dancer and choreographer. My beautiful son you left to soon’.
Kirvan Fortuin is the recipient of several prestigious awards, in South Africa, the Netherlands and Switzerland, from government, civil society and the art world. He established the Kirvan Fortuin Foundation and Fortuin Dance Theatre and had provided several employment opportunities to dancers and choreographers across South Africa. He continuously showcased youth in the genre of dance. Kirvan had done significantly well as a choreographer and dancer in South Africa and abroad, and had established himself as a sought after theatre maker, and talent developer.
Kirvan Fortuin also performed in the Netherlands and worked with several Dutch companies and festivals like Afrovibes and Kwaku.
Last year, he participated in a Die Dansende Taal, the story of Ouma Katrina Esau, the last fluent speaker of the ancient language Nchuu. Watch the trailer here.
