After its success in 2024 and 2025, the DNATel Schools Dance Challenge is back, and it is time for the Lowveld to cast their votes for their favourite dancers. This year, an all-time high of 12 schools are bringing their best moves, creativity and unstoppable energy to the stage for the chance to win R30 000.

The participating schools are Laerskool Nelspruit, Hoërskool Nelspruit, Lowveld High, Hoërskool Bergvlam, Valencia Combined School, Clivia Primary, Nelspruit Primary, Penryn, Rob Ferreira High School, Laerskool Bergland, Laerskool Witrivier and Curro Nelspruit.

In 2025, Nelspruit Primary was the R25 000 prize winner. Valencia Combined School took second place with a crowd-favourite performance.

Public voting opens on October 19

The premise of the competition is simple: DNATel provided a sample video and sound for each school to compile a unique dance, which they in turn recorded and submitted to DNATel by October 16.

DNATel will upload each video individually on its Facebook and Instagram pages on October 19, after which public voting will immediately open. Public voting takes place from October 19 to 25. DNATel urges the public to become involved, watch the videos, and vote for their favourite school.

Learners eager to showcase talent

The schools are excited to be part of the challenge. “Every year our learners look forward to the competition with great excitement. They are always eager to find out what the theme will be and which songs have been selected,” said Nelspruit Primary’s Johan Ortan.

“The preparation is extremely fun, especially because the right choreography and music have been supplied. It lets our dancers practise independently. We enjoyed the whole process and Laerskool Nelspruit is excited to share the final product,” said Eliz Rossouw.

Dancers are hard at work and practising as much as they can to improve their school’s chances of winning the challenge. However, they still remember to have fun.

“Practice sessions are very exciting, and learners always look forward to these,” said Valencia Combined School’s Nozipho Nkosi. “They cannot wait to showcase their talents. The mashed-up videos don’t just bring laughs but also room for improvement. They are part of our journey to perfect the most fun choreography. Nelspruit, get ready to be blown away.”

“Preparing for the competition has been about much more than learning choreography,” said Hulda van der Merwe. “The Laerskool Witrivier dancers came together week after week, learning new steps, perfecting their timing, and, most importantly, having fun.”

“The opportunity to participate in the challenge has created a lot of excitement among our learners, and they were eager to attend rehearsal, improve their dancing skills and to deliver their best performance,” said Mariaan Beyleveldt of Hoërskool Bergvlam.

Sponsors power community challenge

DNATel, a fibre network service provider operating in Mpumalanga, partners with a range of internet service providers (ISPs) to deliver fast, affordable, reliable internet to homes and businesses while strengthening relationships within the community.

DNATel extends its gratitude to the ISPs whose sponsorship made the DNATel Schools Dance Challenge possible: Home Connect, Crisp Fibre, MPU Comm, Octopi, Clear Access, Netmetrix, Firmlinx, ND Connect, Cool Ideas, Imagine and Dinges Tech.

The company also extends thanks to the public for their kindness, encouragement and continued support of our youth. “To the wonderful schools and dancers: we love watching you dance your hearts out each year!”

To vote for your favourite contestant, use the links below!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dnatel.co.za

Instagram: @dnatel.co.za