Local dancers bring home prizes
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Saturday October 15, 2022 06:00
The dancers are under a local dance company, Mike n MsTi Dance Company that offers dance classes for both adults and children. The young dancers managed to win medals and trophies. In an interview with Arts & Culture, the company’s co-director and dance coach, Tshepi ‘MsTi Bleq’ Montsho said it was the first time they took part in the competition.
Montsho said they worked very hard preparing for this competition. She said the little dancers trained daily and had grooming camps, which prepared them for the tough competition. “They (the dancers) looked forward to this championship with a lot of excitement and preparations as beginners in the Dance Sport let alone dance. They did very well. Their registration numbers were mixed up in the competition but they did not despair. Their group songs were wrongly submitted due to pressure and they still fought to do what they went there for, win. Their attires arrived late for their first performance and they had to dance in whatever they were wearing but they focused on the dance,” she explained.
Montsho further pointed out that the girls' ambition was dancing, exploring and experiencing Dance Sport competitions not to fight for a win or position.
She added that as painful as the experience was especially for those whose items were skipped and solo performances cancelled, by the grace of God, they brought home trophies and medals, which seemed initially impossible. “The girls scooped positions one to seven. Indeed we are raising champs. No challenge is greater than a good intention and good will. Big thanks to Rhumba in The Jungle for all the experience and lessons we took home and will help us grow. Thank you for the platform you availed for us to explore and develop our dance passion,” she said.
For her part, 10-year-old Motswedi Tsapoga who was part of the dancers who came back with prices, said during the competition she was scared and nervous because she did not know if she was going to win or not. She added that she loved dance because it gives her the freedom to be free whenever she liked. She also said she learnt that if one is ever nervous they must tuck the tummy in and chins up. She added that she made lots of friends. “I had fun. I was nervous. I love to dance because it is fun and it expresses love and passion. Am just doing it for fun but when I grow up I want to be a doctor but that does not mean I will stop dancing,” said eight-year-old Abigail Magwaza.