The kings of the dance floor
Two dancers from a dance school in Noordheuwel are boasting the title of world champions.
They are first time world champions despite fate being against them.
Two dancers from the Mario Gomes Hip Hop Dance Academy (MGHHDA) in Noordheuwel have taken part in the Hip Hop Dance World Championship in Germany recently. They not only made themselves proud but also their instructor.
Kuaya Dhladhla and Terrence Nkhwatshirema, two 19-year-olds from Randfontein have taken part in the duo category of the competition with the intention to gain experience, only to hear the announcement that they were the winners of this category, beating dancers from over 40 countries.
Both say it was a very emotional moment for them when they realised that they were now world champions.
“I cried … but it was a manly cry,” says Dhladha.
He admitted that he cried even more when he received the news that he got second place in the solo category, missing the first spot with just two points.
Gomes, instructor and owner of the academy says the duo was among 16 dancers from his studio chosen to represent South Africa.
Despite several fundraisers to help the underprivileged dancers from his studio, the nerves gnawed when he realised not enough was raised to send Dhladhla and Nkhwatshirema to Germany.
“They were heartbroken when I told them it seemed that they only would be able to go to the championships next year.”
He spoke too soon, says Gomes.
“Suddenly people started donating and helping where they could. This ensured the dancers’ trip to the championships was sorted.”
They went to Germany to gain experience and to see how the other dancers dance so that they could prepare for the championships next year.
“None of us thought they would win. I told them they should have fun, which they did and won the competition! What a wonderful surprise that was.”
Dhladhla and Nkhwatshirema are dreaming even more of becoming professional hip-hop dancers, saying they would like to give of their experience and dancing skills back to the community. The first step to their success was instead of sitting at home trying to find something to do, they decided to take a gap year to see if dancing is what they want to do as a career.
“We are so happy that everyone got on board to help us realise our dreams,” says Dhladhla.
“Dancing has become a part of our lives and we can not thank everyone enough for supporting us,” says Nkwatshirema.
He says he will put up his certificate just above the television set in his home so that he can look at his achievements often.
“I will be putting up mine in my bedroom, so that I can look at it whenever I feel the need to be uplifted again,” Dhladhla concluded.
