Plus-size woman is showing off her plus-size dancing talent

WHO said if you were plus size, you couldn’t represent your country at a world dance championship?

Janice Erasmus, 32, has defied the odds after she got her federation colours and beat the competition, to go through to the Fisaf International World Fitness and Hip Hop Unite Championships in Amsterdam from October 18 to 20.

“I want to create awareness and encourage people to follow their dreams. You can break boundaries, no matter who you are,” Erasmus said.

“I have been a big girl all my life and I have been dancing all my life.

“I did ballet for 12 years, changed over to hip hop, did training in Thailand and went to the Waterfront Theatre School for a year.”

For the married mother of two, her hip hop journey took shape after she started attending Saturday dance classes at the Out of Africa dance academy for fitness.

“We got placed in groups and we were told to enter a competition.

“At the time, we were laid-back about it and didn’t take it seriously. It was just a hobby.

Then the crew came second and realised they were on to something.

They entered the Hip Hop Unite

I am here to show the world that if you’re good at something, weight shouldn’t be a problem Janice Erasmus Hip hop dancer

regional competition and qualified for Western Province, which led them to the nationals, where they again came second, landing an opportunity to compete at the world champs.

“There are always the smirks and remarks when you go on stage.

“But I am here to show the world that if you’re good at something, weight shouldn’t be a problem.

“If I was skinnier, nobody would care. “I am healthy and I work hard. “I try to be the one with the most energy, so that when people see that energy they won’t judge people that are heavier.”

Erasmus also runs a music and movement dance class in Mitchells Plain, where she teaches 196 children to dance in preparation for a big showcase that takes place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre annually.