For Tiaan Gunter, dance has never been about perfection, training, or performing professionally. It has always been about freedom, fun and self-expression.

Today, as a teacher at Hoërskool Noordheuwel, he is known for his energetic performances during geesvang events and school productions such as Afrikaans in die Wolke – the school’s annual music festival.

According to Krugersdorp News, his latest offering caused quite a vibey stir on social media, racking up almost half a million views on the school’s Facebook page.

But behind the dancing is a much bigger message.

Born and raised in Brakpan, Gunter’s love for dancing started at a young age when he and his sister would put on shows for their parents during holidays. Although he never took formal dance lessons or danced competitively, dance naturally became part of his life through school revues, social events, and later university dance productions.

When Gunter first started teaching, he noticed that many boys were too shy to dance because they were afraid of being judged. That is when he made a decision to dance boldly and without embarrassment to show learners that being masculine and expressing yourself can exist together.

“I wanted the boys to see that you can play rugby, shake your hips and still be yourself,” he laughs.

His dancing quickly became more than entertainment. It became a way to encourage learners to stop limiting themselves because of the fear of others’ opinions. He believes people should never hold back on doing something they love simply because they worry about being judged.

“People often ask if I’m embarrassed to dance in front of the school,” he says. “Honestly, not at all. It’s just fun for me.”

He admits that he is not a freestyle dancer and prefers choreographed routines, but that has never stopped him from enjoying every moment. For him, the goal is not to impress people; it is to make learners smile, laugh and feel comfortable being themselves.

He also understands the pressure many learners experience daily in school environments. Through dance and humour, he hopes to give them a moment to relax and simply enjoy themselves.

“If I can help learners forget about stress for five minutes and make them laugh, then it’s worth it,” he says.

Through his fearless approach to dancing, Gunter continues to challenge stereotypes and inspire learners to live confidently, freely and unapologetically as themselves.

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