Watch Kitty Phetla twirl around the James Sedgwick Distillery

Watch as her fluid movements grace the James Sedgwick Distillery, where she elegantly floats amongst the copper pot stills and barrels, in the first of a new visual collaboration series by Three Ships Whisky with inspirational South Africans.

The new collaboration series will see a number of inspirational South Africans being featured across the brand’s media platforms, with Phetla’s life story as the first to be released.

She was invited to bring her beautiful art form and inspiring life story to the distillery, bringing the Three Ships Whisky brand message of 'Made Exceptional. Made Here' to life.

Phetla grew up in Alexandra in Johannesburg and through hard work and discipline she has created a stellar career for herself with one of her most memorable roles as the first black ballerina to dance 'The Dying Swan' in Russia in 2012. Originally choreographed by Mikhail Fokine for Anna Pavlova in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1905, this historic experience transformed her personal and professional journey and allowed her to make this timeless classical choreography her own.

“Ballet was at the time of my introduction so Westernised, yet it’s an art form that has now transcended cultures and is tangible for black communities. South Africans love to move and there is a constant rhythm and beat within us. As a choreographer, I enjoy combining an African spirit of movement with Western classical ballet, embracing their individual rhythm and soul, and blending it all into one creative space. That is pure magic. Almost, I would imagine, as when a whisky is made – equal parts of an excellent base, vision, passion and ultimately magic, in crafting something exceptional.”

Phetla says her height has been both an advantage and disadvantage, but it sets her apart. “I have to deal with the struggles of being told that I am too tall to perform a certain sequence yet I find ways to work around my height to avoid being discouraged. I adapt the movement of my body to overcome this obstacle and turn it into my own unique style without being disrespectful to the art form of ballet.”

Defying the odds

Meryll Stocks Roos, Three Ships Whisky marketing manager, says the series will bring across the essence of the brand’s globally awarded success coming from a country that in the traditional sense was never deemed possible to make whisky.

Master distiller Andy Watts, has created many firsts for the South African whisky industry with Three Ships Whisky and defied the odds that making whisky was reserved for only a select few countries. At Africa’s only commercial whisky distillery, Watts crafts whiskies that not only make South Africans proud but also take the spotlight at international whisky competitions.

“The aim is to celebrate the South African dreamers, true believers and doers who make the country an exceptional place to live in with a sense of pride. It’s about being proud about doing things in South Africa in our own unique way and standing out with our courage and world-class ambition.”