A VARIETY of dance moves and sequences were performed by over 270 ballroom and contemporary dancers who were vying for a spot among the winners of the South African Open Dancesport Championship at the DLI Hall in Greyville, on December 14 and 15.

The stage was set and the hall shining bright with colourful outfits and sparkles as dancers twirled and put on their best performances for the judges. From amateurs to professionals, solo and couples, they danced the jive, waltz and rumba among other categories. Donna Belling, KwaZulu-Natal chairperson for the South African Dance Foundation, said the super series is one of four national dance competitions where dancers can earn points to be possibly awarded South African colours. She said dancers came from neighbouring countries and provinces to compete.

“We had over 270 dancers from 50 studios across South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho enter the dance competition. There were 40 dancers awarded their South African colours, three from KZN. The event was a great success,” said Belling. Her excitement was shared by one of the event sponsors, Deborah Holmes, who is the co-founder of the HeartSoles Foundation. Holmes, who is also a professional dancer, travelled from America with her daughter Reagan to witness the thrilling performances and hand over dancing shoes to 300 dancers.

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She said, “I think that there is so much potential here and I think if the kids had more time to develop it, they could be world class global competitors. The enthusiasm here is fantastic. I am always inspired and awed by the number of parents that come and support their kids and they stay for long, long hours and they’re in the bathroom helping to put their make-up on and get their little costumes on. It’s always really inspiring to see. I love being here. The energy is always great.”

The HeartSoles Foundation also awarded gifts in the form of dancewear, exquisite ball gowns, and scholarship funds for dance development. “You need to have proper tools to really be a very competitive dancer. Some of the kids here have a lot of talent and potential. And you need the proper tools to be a proper competitor. By giving the kids the things that they need or helping to give them the things that they need, like scholarship money or shoes or costumes or practise shoes, it helps them develop and maintain an interest in ballroom, and it helps them advance in what they want to do,” said Holmes.

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