Cambridge Academy learner cartwheels her way overseas

A young and dynamic six-year-old is set to represent eMalahleni at the Dance Talent and Model Association (DTMA) International Championships after she attained her South African national colours in the acrobatic competition.

Linathi Mafilika recently obtained position one and a special award for a Star Acrobat.

She further attained the overall Acro Petite Mpumalanga, received provincial colours, and qualified for national championships that were held at Emperors Palace Theatre of Marcellus in Gauteng.

Linathi’s mother, Puleng Mafilika, said her daughter started tumbling while she was in her belly, to the extent that during her regular pregnancy check-ups the doctor always got overwhelmed by Linathi’s activeness and wondered what kind of sport she will tend to engage in because clearly, she is a sports person.

She reckoned that as Linathi grew up, she involved her entire family in her activities, teaching them how to split, cartwheel, and all other trendy dance moves.

Linathi was described by her proud mom as a soft-spoken but firm and demure little girl, born with different talents like singing, dancing, and tumbling.

At  age four, one of her Grade RR teachers noticed how flexible she is and how effortless she makes all the tumbling moves.

“She called and encouraged me to enroll her for professional classes, as she is natural and can go far with her groomed talent,” Puleng mentioned.

Linathi registered her for acrobatic classes in 2023 in the middle of the year and has never looked back.

Soon after she joined, vibrant Linathi participated in several competitions held in eMalahleni, Middelburg, Bethal, Evander, and Pretoria where she came on top and scooped first positions, got certificated, and received medals from gold, diamond, and platinum.

“She went for Dance Fusion, NDA, Dance Face Challenge, Revolution, and Acrobatic Solo Sport of South Africa, which allowed her to perform from the regional to national stage last year,” Puleng confirmed.

Linathi’s mother shared that among all other competitions, the highlight of her daughter’s completion was when she received a special award and bagged a huge trophy for the highest overall acrobatic score of 99%.

At the beginning of the year, Linathi participated in a variety of competitions including the National Eisteddfod where she obtained a junior diploma, Talent Africa, and the Federation of Performing Arts South Africa where she attained high gold in regional championships and competed on the national stage in Vereeniging.

Seeing there was no stopping the young dynamite, Cambridge Academy took to social media and congratulated Linathi after she received her national colours and qualified for the international championships in 2025.

“She is getting immense support from her family in all her activities. She is also involved in netball and hockey at school and is exceptionally good at it. Academically, she is a superstar and is self-driven. Juggling school work and sport is not an issue at all, as she loves a challenge, and easily gets bored with easy stuff. She is looking forward to the DTMA International Championships,” her mom said.

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