Senior dancers glide to success
IT is not often that one finds a lawyer who excels profession and glides like a pro on the dance floor.
East London attorney Ben Niehaus, 68, is that lawyer and is already reaching for the stars in his new-found hobby.
He and his partner Belinda Smith won gold in the senior dancers category for ballroom and Latin dancing at the South African Dance Sport Federation National Achievers Championships held at the Sun City Superbowl last weekend.
The prestigious accolade comes just two years after the couple pursued dancing.
Niehaus, a partner at Niehaus McMahon attorneys, notaries and conveyancers, said he had always been passionate about extreme sports. “I’ve always been a good sportsman, and participated in all sorts of sport codes, including sky and scuba diving, but I have always wanted to dance, too.
“Because there’s not much ballroom activity in East London it was more challenging to find a coach or a team to be part of, but the desire to dance drove me to do something about it.”
Niehaus said he and Smith did research on local coaching, and that is when they found their coach, Mzimkhulu Sididi.
Niehaus said dancing was therapeutic for him and had also become part of his exercise routine.
Smith, 45, the owner of Stationary and Branding, said she was pleased with their progress.
“Our first competition was the provincial championships held in October at Turnbull Park, and we won gold, first time, which was very exciting and encouraging.
“The whole experience has been mind-blowing and now we are looking forward to the international championships, due to take place next year in May at the Sandton Convention Centre.”
Rise and Shine dance studio coach Sididi said he was impressed with the achievements of his students.
“I am so grateful for this couple because I had not coached people who are older than me before, but they have respected me and made my job very pleasant.”
● Sididi offers private dance classes and group classes at Turnbull Park in Southernwood and Parkridge every Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm to 7pm. For more information call Sididi on 082-534-7879. — in his