UJ crowns best dancer
AUCKLAND PARK – UJ students showcase their talent on stage and proving that a little bit of fun while studying is something to consider.
Engineering student Tumelo Letsheko was crowned winner of the UJ Can You Dance? competition after the final round on 13 September.
An emotional Tumelo expressed his passion for dance during his acceptance speech and acknowledged UJ Arts and Culture for creating spaces and places where UJ students can nurture and develop their natural talent.
“Presented in partnership with The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative (FATC), UJ Arts and Culture’s aim with the competition was to excavate and nurture the dance talent of our students,” said producer, Grace Meadows.
“Following extensive auditions across all four campuses, 24 hopefuls were selected from over 300 young people who signed up to audition,” she explained.
During the winter recess period, the students who made it through the auditions were put through their paces at a winter dance boot camp facilitated by FATC and 18 were selected for the semi-finals and then the top eight battled it out for bragging rights as UJ’s Best Dancer.
Masters in Philosophy candidate Devon Peterson placed second.
“I think this competition is a great initiative for students to showcase their talent,” she said with a smile.
Classically trained Margaux Fourie, who is a first year (BSc) Information Technology student, placed third. Finalists included Itumeleng Malefetsa, MJ Jiyane, Takalani Gidi, Shifa Fredericks and Innocent Setho.
All the finalists walked away with a cultural bursary to the value of R2 000. The top three each won premier gym memberships sponsored by UJ Sport, a sports goody bag courtesy of UJ Arts and Culture and an iPad mini.
Letsheko’s first prize included all of these as well as a professional CV consultation with Moja Nation Exchange design agency and a 12- month artist management contract from Talent Etc.
Ashraf Johaardien, Head of UJ Arts has confirmed that plans are in place for the competition to take place annually. There have also been rumours that he is working on UJ Can You Sing?
