The Red Devils Thembisa dance group has graced stages worldwide, making numerous television appearances while representing pantsula culture globally.

Formed in Winnie Mandela Park, the group initially comprised four members who remain close to this day. They started as a dance group of four and have now grown to eight after creating a younger group, Red Devils Pantsula.

“Our crew, Red Devils Thembisa, was formed on September 7, 2000,” said Solly ‘Msola’ Phagane of Red Devils Thembisa.

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“The most uncommon question we are rarely asked is who has the best costume changes, as our culture is also about fancy clothes. When you check us, all of us have the best costumes. We have been in this game for a while, so the fashion has to make sense while representing pantsula culture.”

The Devils have shared their decades-long dance routine, Number One, which they created in 2007, seven years after forming.

“The funniest moments backstage are when we start changing plans on how we are going to perform and which style to use to attract the crowd,” said Phagane.

“These moments have changed our lives. I wish to express to the readers that I was very happy to become a member of Thembisa Red Devils Pantsula, as this group has attained three international awards.”

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To this day, the group still cannot get over their performances on international stages, but their best choreography was at France’s Got Talent in Paris.

“Our crew’s style and energy have never changed, since we are always giving massive, electrifying performances,” said Phagane. “The moment I will never forget was when our crew members travelled for the first time to go to France.”

The group has dubbed Phagane as the member who frequently forgets items backstage while they are on the road for performances or charity work.

In years of dancing and having various outfit changes, their wish is to revive the Star Black two-piece Dickies suits.

They also wish to try hip-hop, as they are planning tours with another dance crew in the US and wish to blend with the community there.

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“Our Junior Red Devils are doing great and have their own European tours,” said Phagane.

“They will keep the legacy of this crew alive. As the senior team, we worked very hard for them, so now it is easy for them. We also have Red Devils female group members who are doing well and have attended several local gigs.”