DIRTY DANCING
From the plane to the pole
AS a licensed pilot, Drake Selwe is no stranger to soaring through the air – something which comes in handy in his current role as a high-flying pole dancing instructor.
The 29-year-old, whose studio - aptly named The Pole Dancing Studio - is located in Gaborone’s Village location, sees pole dancing as a means to help people reclaim their confidence as well as building their core strength.
It was during his time as a student in Cape Town, where he studied Live Performance majoring in Screen Acting, that Selwe was first introduced to the world of adult dancing and choreography.
“I came back to Botswana and started teaching yoga, which I’m still doing. From the yoga I thought to myself, why not introduce pole dancing coz the two are closely related? Now here I am!”
Although the industry is often sexualized, with Selwe himself admitting it is ‘similar’ to stripping, he stresses this is a misconception.
“The distinct difference is that with pole dancing, or at least the one I teach, there is no taking off of clothes. Also, in this case, you are not getting paid but rather paying the instructor to teach and guide you on the exercise.”
Dispelling the myth that pole dancing is strictly for women, the hunky former
model adds, “It’s not at all gender-specific; I encourage men to take it up because Botswana has a lot of beautiful men who would thrive if they ventured into private dancing at parties and events.”
As well as providing a fantastic physical workout, Selwe says pole dancing is of great benefit to one’s mental well-being – an aspect he takes very seriously.
“My mission is not for people to be skinny or to develop muscles; my mission is for people to be strong mentally and to feel good in their own skin. We are using the pole to help you feel more confident and good about yourself.”
And the icing on the cake: the skills learnt can help spice up one’s bedroom life… enough said, sign me up!