Cullinan dancer’s journey from local to international stage

Hailing from the Manonga family farm in Cullinan is a versatile dancer and now professional choreographer who has made his mark in his community and beyond.

David Aphane (36) started dancing in the early 2000s just for fun inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson and MC Hammer.

“Like any other kid who was trying to fit in and start their life in the township, I started dancing.”

He said the first competition he ever participated in, was the Field Band Foundation nationals in 2008, in which he won the national solo dance title.

“I finally felt like I was good at something, it meant so much to me as I could see that I had direction at last.”

He said being a beginner dancer can be hectic, especially when it comes to auditions because there are certain requirements such as a specific body structure and height.

Aphane said giving up is never an option when you love what you do.

He said after his victory, he joined a dance group called the Triple HL early in 2010 and was under his sister Maggie’s mentorship as a choreographer until 2014.

“I started my professional work under the Gauteng Carnival as a choreographer from 2012 till 2018.

“In the establishment of my profession, I have also competed in various platforms for street dance competitions and I have auditioned for national-level TV shows such as So you think you can dance, YoTV Dance Battles and Cula Sibone.”

David recalled his biggest achievement in the national competition called Talent Africa. He was one of the highlights in 2016 for his performance competing against all genres of arts in the senior category.

“It helped me qualify to compete in America at the Talent America International competition, which was where my name started making the waves.

As a result, competing in America against all other talents, I managed to win all the categories participated in.”

Aphane was victorious in hip-hop and open category and was overall senior winner and overall senior dance winner. He had the highest international score.

He said he then obtained another win at a national competition called the Eurodance and he won in the aforementioned dance categories above.

He said after his second national competition, he vowed to give back to his community by starting a dance group, The Kollectives, and offer dance training.

“In 2018, we entered a competition for them to gain experience, and they excelled.

I feel so good knowing that these kids get to experience things I never got the opportunity to experience at their age.”

He said his youngest dancer was recognised at the age of 13 at the Eurodance National competition.

David said The Kollectives won a trip to Serbia to compete in another international competition, Dance Novisad International.

“Some of my dancers participated as soloists and won. As a result, I was offered a scouting job in Norway but it was a hassle, because of finances for relocating.”

He added that The Kollectives had the opportunity to shoot a music video for a Dominican Republic artist.

Aphane said Talent Africa also recognised his potential and has called him to appear as a guest judge at the Eurodance national competition in August this year. He is eager and looks forward to seeing the growth and talent of every dancer who pours their heart out on the floor.

“My journey as a dancer and instructor so far has been fulfilling and I am glad that now I can focus on grooming the next generation that can do better than me.”

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