North teen set to represent South Africa in international ballet competition

Thirteen-year-old Lathitha Masango will be representing South Africa in a ballet competition set to happen in July in Ireland.

Masango is a ballerina from Nina Park who has been doing ballet since she was nine-years-old.

Masango said through the guidance of Ezintle School of Dance, she acquired a second place position in a ballet competition that was hosted in Pretoria last year by the American Dance Awards (ADA).

“I won a gold medal in the 12-13 years age group and qualified to represent the country in an international competition.

“I was so excited, especially because I will be representing South Africa internationally and also because it will be my first time travelling overseas,” she said.

The Thornridge Secondary School learner said the experience she has gained from 2016 will give her a chance to do well in Ireland.

She said she was introduced to ballet by her parents, who she also considers her biggest supporters.

“My father used to work at the South African State Theatre and he used to organise tickets for ballet competitions as well as other performances, which motivated me to start doing ballet.

“I was so interested in ballet and I was happy when my parents allowed me to register for ballet classes as an extramural activity,” she said.

Masango said being a ballerina had hardships of its own and challenges that needed to be faced head-on.

“The hardest thing about ballet is that you cannot do it alone, you need a ballet teacher to guide you. It is not like any other sporting activity,” she said.

“I wish to achieve the best results in my category and more experience in Lyrical Ballet. I want to be recognised internationally as well as to represent Africa and the continent as a whole,” she said.

Masango’s mother, Cordelia Mbotyi said she was a bit shocked when her daughter told her that she wanted to do ballet.

“I realised she’s a good ballerina at her first competition when she was 10. Both her father and I were surprised as she mastered ballet in less than a year.”

Mbotyi said she was proud of her daughter as she is the only one in their family to ever represent South Africa in an international competition.

“The hardest thing about this journey is the financial part of it. We have to pay monthly fees, registration fees for the competitions, clothing and costumes, transporting her to competitions,” she said.

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Ezintle School of Dance is a non-profit organisation and will unfortunately not be funding her trip to Ireland.

Masango’s family is organising an event that is aimed at raising R71 420 needed for her so that she can be able to travel abroad.

“We are also planning to host a fun walk to fund her trip before winter arrives,” Mbotyi said.

Should anyone be interested in donating or helping Masango’s family raise funds, contact 084 227 1169 or 072 384 5691.

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