POLOKWANE – Ballerinas from the Melisa Gilfillan Dance Academy (MGDA) have made their academy and province proud after impressive performances at two major national competitions.

The girls competed at the National Eisteddfod of South Africa which took place at Curro Heuwelkruin in Polokwane on September 21, and at the American Dance Awards (ADA) South African Regionals 2026 which took place from September 24 to October 3 in Pretoria.

During the Eisteddfod competition, most of the junior girls received either gold or junior diploma awards, while the older girls received gold or diploma awards.

The academy continued its winning streak at the ADA South African Regionals 2026, where several dancers stood out. Karmien Gilfillan and Kamogelo Raphela individually received the Young Performers Award, as well as invitations to go and perform at the National Eisteddfod of South Africa Young Performer Showcase on October 15 at the Roodepoort Theatre.

Raphela also received a special award and Ultimate Gold for her classical ballet solo performance, while Gilfillan received a special award for her ballet solo and a gold mark, as well as an Ultimate Gold award for her contemporary solo. Both dancers also received awards for Ultimate Challenge Winner, which means they automatically qualify to represent South Africa in Boston, America next year.

Other ballerinas from MGDA also excelled, with Layla Herbst receiving gold for her ballet solo and Zara Teixeira receiving gold for her ballet solo and first place. Teixeira also received Ultimate Gold award for her contemporary performance and a special award.

All the girls from represented the academy well under various age groups and categories including ballet, contemporary and acrobatic.

Owner and instructor Melisa Gilfillan said she is incredibly proud of all her dancers. “I am so proud of all our girls for representing the academy and Limpopo province so beautifully.

They have worked incredibly hard and their results show their dedication and passion for dance. A special congratulations to the girls who will be going to represent our country in Boston next year – it is a huge achievement and we are behind them all the way,” she said.

Gilfillan also congratulated another student, Zibuyile ‘Zee’ Ngubane who has been selected to represent the country at the World Dance Competition in Disney World Orlando USA June next year.

National Eisteddfod results:

• Nia Schutte – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 8 – gold.
• Zibuyile Ngubane – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 7 – (Entered but could not attend due to other competition dates clash).
• Amelia Marx – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 6 – diploma.
• Alexa Myburgh – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 4 – diploma.
• Elelwani Netshishivhe – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 5 – gold.
• Anike Van Waveren – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – gold.
• Emily Buitendag – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – gold.
• Makoma Maponya – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 3 – gold.
• Layla Herbst – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – jnr diploma.
• Karmien Gilfillan – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 5 – diploma.
• Kamogelo Raphela – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 9 – diploma.
• Oratliwe Mabotja – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – gold.
• Kago Magare – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – jnr diploma.
• Moagabo Modiba – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 8 – gold.
• Emily Allen – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 5 – gold.
• Aliani Venter – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – gold.
• Oratilwe Mabotja – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – gold.
• Kago Magare – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – jnr diploma.
• Moagabo Modiba – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 8 – gold.
• Emily Allen – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 5 – gold.
• Aliani Venter – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – gold.
• Angel Mojapelo – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 9 – gold.
• Rorisang Kgoedi – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 2 – Jnr diploma.
• Tondani Nemvumoni – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 6 – diploma.
• Mukundi Shipalana – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 3 – gold.
• Tinashe Manamela – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 8 – gold.
• Gabriella Brooks – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 12 – diploma.
• Ineke Grobbelaar – Ballet: Classical – Solo Gr 3 – gold.
• Karmien Gilfillan – Contemporary Dance – Solo Gr 5 – diploma.