Dancers qualify for world champs

While their dancing talents led them to this achievement, they are in need of the Midrand community’s help, through sponsorships or donations, to get there.

Botha’s team qualified for the championships after they won three gold and three silver medals at the South African championships of the performing arts.

She said the championships were a week of “intense dancing”. They competed against 6 000 other contestants to achieve their medals and their qualification to compete for Team South Africa 2014 in the World Championships. Only gold medal winners are eligible to compete in this competition.

Botha said she could not describe the feeling of winning. “At the award ceremony we waited patiently to hear what our results would be,” she said. “When they finally got to our category we stopped breathing for a moment and just wanted to hear our name being called out. They started with bronze, which was not us, then silver, which was not us, then a long pause for the gold… and they announced our team as the winners.”

She said it was a “big honour” and “awesome success” to win gold at the South African Championships and explained the World Championships as the Olympics of performing arts. Botha said, “This is an incredible achievement and the exposure they [dancers] will receive to grow in the area of performing arts is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

There will be contestants from 52 countries competing at the World Championship. It will also be broadcasted on an American TV channel where scouts and agents will be looking for new talent. There is also opportunity for the contestants to win scholarships.

The dancers are dedicated to their sport as they train two to three times a week for up to three hours a session. “No pain, no game is their motto,” said Botha.

She appealed to the community to help the dancers to fulfil their dreams.

Details: Corlanie Botha 072 368 1254 or juicyliving@telkomsa.net