The Amapiano dance competition will also make stops in Durban, Bloemfontein, and Gqeberha. Picture: Supplied
The much-anticipated Amapiano Dance Championship is set to take place in Johannesburg later this month.
Building on the success of the Cape Town event, the Amapiano Dance Championship is now gearing up for its Johannesburg edition, which will take place from 31 October to 2 November.
The competition will continue to tour South Africa, with planned stops in Durban, Bloemfontein, and Gqeberha.
Organised by Elvis Sibeko Studios in collaboration with Joburg Theatre, the competition offers young dancers a platform to showcase their talent on a professional stage and a chance to win big prizes.
The prizes include a grand prize of R50,000, along with several other awards for outstanding performers across the Soloist, Duo/Trio, and Group categories.
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Speaking to The Citizen, seasoned theatre director and choreographer Elvis Sibeko said the event aims to give young Amapiano dancers a stepping stone to turn their passion into sustainable careers.
He explained that while he has produced numerous African musicals and concerts over the years, he felt compelled to do something different this year.
“So, every year, we get the theatre to produce African musicals, concerts, and all this stuff. But this year, I said, ‘No. I want to create a platform for Amapiano dancers,’” he said.
Sibeko said the idea was born during his travels across different provinces as a guest judge at township Amapiano dance competitions.
He realised that many of the dancers lacked opportunities to perform on larger and more professional stages.
“I saw a lot of potential. And I thought, ‘This cannot just stay in the townships’. It needs to go to bigger platforms, like theatres, Broadway, or even overseas.
“So, I decided to create a platform for these dancers to showcase their talent in a prestigious space like the Joburg Theatre.”
Sibeko said the Amapiano Dance Championship is a movement aimed at uplifting South Africa’s youth, particularly those from underserved communities.
“This is not just a platform for competition, we are also going to run workshops on theatre, showbiz, and marketing.
“We want the dancers who qualify for the competition to leave with more than just a trophy or prize money. We want to provide them with opportunities for job creation and skills development.
“They need to understand how they can turn their talent into a career and put food on the table.”
The workshops, valued at R25,000, will cover essential skills such as choreography, costume design, lighting, and sound engineering.
Moreover, there will be sessions on how to navigate the business side of the entertainment industry, including understanding contracts, collaborating with brands, and securing sustainable work.
“Most of these dancers struggle with understanding deals and how the entertainment business works. We want to equip them with the knowledge they need to succeed, not just as background dancers for famous Amapiano artists, but as professionals who can make a living from their talents.”
Sibeko said registrations for the Johannesburg event will close on Friday, 25 October.
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