MOONLIGHT DANCE STUDIO SHINES AT INTERNATIONAL BALLROOM CONTEST
AFTER a sterling performance at the South African Dance Teachers Association (SADTA) dance competitions, founder and Director of Moonlight Dance Studios, Thato Kgwedi, has called on government and private entities to give ballroom dance the recognition it deserves.
On April 1st, a team of Moonlight Studios dancers aged between 5 and 26 took part in an open SADTA competition where they completely knocked out the competition.
An elated Kgwedi explained that the competition, which was held at Boksburg Woodlands International College, was meant to challenge the dancers to compete in more advanced levels than they are used to.
“Team Moonlight killed it, bringing home two trophies, 11 gold medals, five silver medals and one bronze medal,” he said.
“The exercise was nerveracking as it challenged the dancers to step out of their comfort zones. I was almost brought to tears watching them step out of their cocoons, and soaring.”
He said the victory is the team’s reward for hard work, persistence and dedication.
Kgwedi, however, insists that government and private stakeholders can do better in terms of recognising ballroom dancing as a sport to invest in.
“Truly speaking, ballroom dancing is growing at a very slow pace in our country. Both the government and the private sector have sidelined it and this lack of support and recognition has stunted its growth,” lamented Kgwedi.
He, however, said together with his silky dancers, they’re prepared to carry the yoke and shine a spotlight on the country’s most ignored sport.