Etete’s Mzandile Mzimela waltzing his way to the top

Nineteen-year-old ballroom dancer Mzandile Mzimela shares a small room with three siblings in a single parent-headed household in Etete.

But every evening for the past two years he raises his chin proudly, draws his thin frame to attention, takes his partner’s hand and waltzes across the dusty floors of the township.

Despite the myth that ballroom dancing is only for the wealthy, two weeks ago the talented dancer’s hard work paid off when he and his dance partner Nokwanda Matsidiso won first place at the KZN ballroom championships in Pietermaritzburg.

Mzimela’s passion for dance began when the sport was introduced to the township by coaches Sbongiseni Dlamini and Siyabonga Gumede as a way to keep children and teenagers off the streets.

“My mother and her friend were talking about a new sport that had come into the community. When I first started I thought that dancing was so boring but the coach was good and he was friendly so I kept going back.

“After two years I can say that I am top of my game and because of the coaches, I believe in myself and in my dancing abilities. I think that through hard work and practice I can achieve anything,” he said.

At the competition Mzimela was commended for his technique and balance.

“It took a lot of practice for me to dance the way I do now. Ballroom dancing is not easy and to be good you should not only practice when there is training but whenever you can. You have to work all the time to be the best.”

Mzimela, who one day hopes to be a traffic officer as well as a world renowned dancer, said dancing keeps him disciplined and helps him to strive for success.

“Finding a job is difficult but I do send out CVs. Dancing with a group of people inspires me because everyone has positive thoughts. Being a dancer taught me to never quit. I learned that everything I do, I need to do well and with pride.”

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