Local girl perfoms
Sherisa van der Walt (10), who started dancing only three years ago, has been selected to compete in the Reunion Island dance competition.
Sherisa, along with other South African solo representatives, will be competing against dancers from Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion Island in an international dance competition on the island.
“Dancing has always been my passion,” says Sherisa.
Since she started competing, she has won eight gold medals, four silver medals and seven bronze medals.
The young dancer competes in the 10 to 15 year category.
Sherisa’s mother, Leoni van der Walt (37), was not sure if Sherisa would ever dance professionally because, at the age of seven, her daughter had to undergo a knee operation.
“A cyst was discovered on Sherisa’s knee when she was in Grade One and the doctors wanted to remove it before she could start dancing,” says Leoni.
Sherisa competes in the Latin, classic and energy categories, and attends lessons almost every single day.
Leoni says, “We are so proud of her, she works very hard at school and at her dancing so we as family feel nothing but pride.”
She competes in the South African mini team and won the champs with her dance partner in January.
“She’s very grown up for her age so we know she is ready for the trip to Reunion Island,” says Leoni.
She adds, “Dancing is in her genes so we knew it was the right path for her, a lot of our family members are dancers.”
Sherisa says she is very passionate about dancing and looks forward to the Reunion Island trip in May.
