Pantsula dancers dream big – Beyoncé music video big
The energetic Amakoporal Pantsula Dancers literally stop traffic when they start busting their moves in the township.
The energetic Amakoporal Pantsula Dancers literally stop traffic when they start busting their moves in the township. It is moves like these that attracted the one and only Beyoncé to some Pantsula dancers in Maputo, called “Tofo-Tofo”. They performed in her famous “Run the World” music video. Beyoncé and her team had at first tried to mimic the style of dance, but were unsuccessful. Finally, Beyoncé decided to fly the Tofo-Tofo boys over to the USA to teach her and her dancers. With the same stars in their eyes, Tshepang Mashego, Thapelo Masinga, Rodney Khoza (grade 11, Mashishing High School) and Lesego Mokwena (grade 10, Skhila High School) dream of being famous. 
Pantsula is part of the day-to-day life in many townships, with many dancers showing off their skills in the middle of the street in broad daylight. Pantsula originated in the 1950s and has developed into a form of social commentary in many townships. Amakoporal’s popularity was evident during their photoshoot with Steelburger/Lydenburg News on Saturday July 10, and the crowds quickly gathered. John Nyundu (Nsizwa Nyundu Foundation) believes that sports, arts, culture and recreation are a solution to empower and rehabilitate the youth against social challenges. He recognised this group has true talent.
Tshepang said their group raise money by washing cars and doing gardening around the township every day after school, to buy themselves their Pantsula culture clothes. Their dream is to travel the world to showcase their talents and also to participate in the Pantsula Dance Competitions around the country. They are also inspired by the Alexandra group, Urban Movers. Rodney said they also want to teach kids in crèches and primary schools how to dance Pantsula as a way of entertainment. “Kids are focusing too much on TV; they become lazy. Pantsula is a way to keep physically fit and keep your mind positive. This will also help the youth in school,” he said. Who knows? Maybe Amakoporal will also appear in a Beyoncé video one day. Nothing is impossible, as Tofo-Tofo proved.
