Help make Samantha’s dreams come true
A local dancer with a passion for performance and a dream to represent South Africa is ready to take on the international stage.
Samantha Cuthbert (17) is taking the dancing world by storm as she is selected to represent South Africa at two prestigious international dance competitions.
The talented Grade 11 learner from Curro Wilgeheuwel will be competing in the Get The Beat World Finals from December 17 to 21 in Sydney, Australia, followed by the Dance Fest Novi Sad in Serbia in March 2025.
She fell in love with dancing at the age of six in Grade One, where she blossomed into a fearless competitor by showcasing her natural talent and dedication. Her impressive resume boasts Federation provincial colours in 2017 and Federation national colours in 2020, earned through her outstanding performances in national and international competitions.
Despite financial constraints preventing her from participating in international competitions in person, Samantha has embraced virtual submissions, showcasing her skills on a global level. Now, as she approaches her final year of school, her parents, the school and Dance Fusion South Africa want her to represent SA in person, allowing her to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, gain invaluable experience and gauge her skills against international standards.
Parents Geoff and Belinda Cuthbert launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds for her competitions.
“The estimated cost based on the current exchange rate is R52 000 – RR60 000. Since Samantha is a minor with existing health concerns, a parent will need to accompany her at an additional cost of R52 000. However, we are trying our best to cover the parental costs through freelance working opportunities over the weekends,” Belinda said.
Samantha’s involvement in the arts extends beyond dance, with notable performances in school productions, festivities, and external events. She received culture honours from 2022 to 2024 and has been recognised with the Promising Newcomer Award at the Federation of Excellence in Dramatic Arts.
Beyond Curro, her talent has received recognition with the 2020 South African National Colours in Performing Arts selection for the AMP mentorship programme, and the Gauteng KrypCon concert.
“We would like to thank Curro for always supporting Sam’s dancing endeavour, and we are grateful to the many friends and family members who have contributed.
“So far, the contributions will help cover a portion of her flight and participation expenses. We are also doing extra fundraising efforts privately to make up some more of the costs that we may not be able to cover,” Belinda added.
If you would like to help Samantha achieve her dreams, the link is as follows: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/from-studio-to-sydney-your-help-makes-my-dance-dream-possible.
