Tap-dancer strives to be the best
12-year-old dancer taps her way into dance competitions and beauty pageants in the province
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POLOKWANE – At only 12-years-old, she has been among the Top 10 academic achievers each term at Pemps this year. Tap-dancing sensation, Palesa Masimene hopes to become a doctor when she is older, and to open her own dance school.
“I love dancing and I cannot imagine my life without it,” she explains.
Her parents recognised her love for dancing and immediately signed her up at Frieda’s Dancing School when she was only six-year-old.
It was commonplace that Palesa would dance and sing whenever she had the chance. She has several accolades to her name for her talented dancing skills that she won at festivals and competitions across the province.
“Along with dancing, I also model. I used to take part in gymnastics, but decided to focus more on my dancing,” she continues.
“When you first start, it seems quite easy, but it gets more technical as you advance. I love the challenge it gives me and last year I won overall winner for tap-dance, modern dance and traditional dance in one of the competitions I took part in.”
She goes on to say her family are avid dancers. “My father used to be a dance teacher. For me, dancing is not about winning various accolades, it is about having fun and expressing myself.”
maretha@nmgroup.co.za