Dancing from the heart in Etete

Thirty-seven youngsters from Etete, Velani Township, do not have the required clothes and shoes for their ballroom and Latin dance competitions, but dedication and passion continues to carry them across the dance floor.

Championed by their coach Siya Gumede, they meet at the Velani Community Hall every afternoon for practice and the hours have paid off, winning them numerous competitions around KZN.

Producing Ilembe’s champions since 2014, members of the group have represented the region in the SALGA games every year.

Recently two couples were selected for the provincial team for 2017 and they won a trophy for having the highest number of dancers placing first at the 2016 Umgungundlovu Championship.

When The Courier recently visited a practice, the young people were dancing barefoot and in torn tekkies and sandals.

Gumede said this, along with travel costs, was one of their biggest hurdles.

“Many of the children come from poor familes and this puts talented children at risk of quitting the sport.

“I am sure my children would be able to go far if they had the correct clothes and shoes for dancing,” said Gumede.

One of the parents Nosipho Vilakazi (mother of Thabiso Khaliswayo) was all praise for the dancing lessons, saying it kept her son busy and off the streets.

“The only problem is that they travel a lot and it is a challenge for me as I am unemployed single parent. I cannot afford to pay for his travel cost and clothes,” said Vilakazi.

Gumede himself started ballroom dancing while he was in school and later took to coaching.

The Ntshawini resident now holds a level four certificate and he said he had dedicated himself to growing the sport in the township.

He believes dancing teaches children discipline and respect.

“Boys grow up knowing how to respect and value a woman from a young age.”

To help the children you can contact Gumede on 072 8869 592.

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