POLOKWANE – He competed in the Urban Street Hip-hop and MTV Commercial categories during the World Dance Masters Championship in Croatia, Eastern Europe from 21 to 28 May and secured second place in both categories.
Khalo (24), who hails from Westenburg, says he did not expect to finish in second place against so many talented dancers from across the globe.
“The championship was definitely not a walk in the park and I felt nervous when I saw my opponents’ dance routines. I nearly got cold feet and withdrew completely. Only the best dancers from all over the world get the opportunity to compete in the championship and that reminded me that I was among them and that I should give it my best shot,” he explains.
He secured his opportunity to take part in the World Dance Masters Championship after he won the national dance finals last year in Pretoria. Khalo discovered his love for dance at the age of seven and he says he used to entertain his family and friends with his dancing prowess. Initially he danced just for fun but after he turned 16 he decided to take dancing seriously.
“Some of my friends and I started a dance group, The Explosive Dance Crew, and we danced together for three years. However, as all good things must come to an end, we grew apart. I did not give up on my dream and continued with a solo dancing career.”
He adds that dancing is not just a hobby for him but a way of expressing himself.
Over the years he has won several dance competitions which include Westenburg’s Got Talent, Thornhill’s Got Talent, and DanceMania.
In 2014 he joined the Chemical Reaction Dance Crew. They competed in the Dance to Las Vegas competition in Las Vegas and finished in the top three. That same year they competed in the Dance Stars competition in Croatia where they secured another position in the top three.
He parted ways with the crew and resigned from his job to become a full-time dancer. “It was a big risk but I felt I had to take it because dancing fulfills my desires. I soon opened a dance studio for youngsters in Boksburg, Gauteng because I enjoy sharing my skills, knowledge and passion for dancing with others.”
Unfortunately, Khalo explains, dancing isn’t taken seriously in South Africa which leads to people who want to become choreographers or professional dancers becoming demoralised because they don’t get a lot of support.
To help raise awareness that dancing is a viable sport and career, he wants to host a dance programme on television to promote the sport. He is currently busy discussing the prospect of starting a dance project to reach out to dancers with one of the country’s best choreographers. Khalo encourages dancers to take a stance and fight for what they love and believe in.
“Happiness comes from what you were born to do and what makes you happy. Keep your head high and your eyes on your goals and dreams. Anything is possible with hard work.”
