Lindsay Setlema grooves his way to his American dream

Lindsay Setlema is busting a move to the Big Apple.
The dancer has grooved his way to the American Dance Awards finals, earning a solo spot to represent South Africa in not one, but two styles – the infectious beats of amapiano and the high-energy vibes of hip hop.

Setlema is glowing as he’s also about to set foot in the land of his childhood fascinations – America.

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He said the glitz, the glamour, the bright lights, and the endless energy of the city that never sleeps have long fascinated him, and now that he’s about to experience it all firsthand.
“I will be in the city for two weeks and I am very excited about it. But there is more pressure because it is a sponsored trip.”

Setlema’s passion for dance was sparked in the dusty streets of Meyerton, where art and culture were mediums to take children off the streets and nurture their talents.

Growing up surrounded by the vibe of music, movement, and creative expression, he was swept away by the rhythm and energy of dance.

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“I’m self-taught, so I started dancing at a very young age but now as a dance teacher, I started my teaching qualification with the Association of International Dance Teachers in 2021, therefore, it’s been three years of formal training.
“My main style of dance is hip hop but throughout the years I have dabbled in a lot of sub-styles, so my style would be an infusion of old school hip hop and commercial social dance. I’ve also trained in sbhujwa, amapiano, k-pop, Wwacking, krump and locking.”

He added dancing kept him physically fit and he practised every day. “Add water to that and that’s all you need. However, mentally speaking, it’s the opposite. It’s good to have something to believe in because it gets very hard sometimes.”
In conclusion, he offered advice to aspiring dancers. “Make sure you give your all to your academics in school. It makes it easier for your parents to support your dreams as a dancer. Once you have the support of your parents, you can go very far. It means so much to us to see our parents, who were born back then, supporting our weird careers.”

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