Bend it like Belinda

DANC-ER ~ noun: a person who dances or whose profession is dancing.

A simple definition of an art form that requires intense dedication, passion and skill, all attributes Zululander Belinda Susman possesses in abundance.

Belinda is a local dancer who teaches and performs.

Her passion and flare for dance started at the tender age of four in her home town Umtata.

She relocated to Empangeni in 1993 where she immediately joined the Dance Academy.

Speaking to Belinda about what dancing means to her, her eyes dance with merriment.

‘Dancing to me is liberating. Life would be totally boring without it’, says Belinda.

Even with a day job from 9-3, she puts in 100% into her dancing. She is currently a dance instructor at Shapes for Women in Empangeni twice a week, choreographs the cabaret groups’ routines at the academy and rehearses four times a week.

‘The girls at the academy are my family and it is a privilege to travel with them during shows’, says Belinda.

She recently choreographed the Round Table musical and was recently accepted into one of South Africa’s most prestigious dancing schools – Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town, where she will begin her four-year degree in dance in January.

‘It’s never too late to pursue your dreams and I believe everything happens at just the right time’, explains Belinda.

This new journey will give her the opportunity to take a step closer to her dream of becoming part of international theatrical productions.

She draws inspiration from her parents who have supported her throughout her career, the beauty of nature and ‘our Creator, who I would be nothing without’.

She is an Honorary Officer at the Umfolozi Game Reserve and enjoys spending her spare time in nature whenever possible.

Some of her challenges as a dancer has been her physique and keeping fit.

‘It is important that you get to a point where you are healthy and happy with your appearance, happy in your own skin, and if you are not happy then change it’, emphasised Belinda.