Jerusalema dance challenge to set EL rocking
Hundreds of dancers at more than 20 venues across region to take part
From Frere Hospital’s medical staff to a group of priests and nuns in Italy, the Jerusalema dance challenge has taken the world by storm — and it’s about to get a whole lot bigger in East London too.
On Saturday, September 19, more than 20 venues in and around Buffalo City will participate in a citywide Jerusalema dance challenge.
Organised by East London running events organiser Sharon Eldridge, the challenge will see hundreds of residents jig and jive to South African musician Master KG’s hit song
Jerusalema, featuring the voice of SA songstress Nomcebo
Zikode.
The song, first released in December 2019, sparked a dance craze that, even 10 months later, still has feet twinkling across the globe.
The start of the craze is attributed to a group of friends in Angola who recorded a candid video featuring the now-viral choreography, and uploaded it to YouTube in February.
The dance challenge has since hit almost every country, from Botswana to Jamaica, Canada, France, Romania, London and the US.
Eldridge said the local event was a way of honouring frontline workers around the city, country and the world. “And to have a bit of well-deserved fun too, even if it is just for a few minutes,” she added.
So far, 700 people have already registered for the EL
Jerusalema challenge. Businesses and public spaces across the city, including Thistlewoods in Gonubie, Spargs in Beacon Bay, Blue Lagoon Hotel, the Jikileza pub at Crossways, Nahoon
Beach, Mdantsane Mall, the Old Selbornian Club and the Calgary field in Quigney have offered their premises as dance venues.
The Boundary Pub & Grub in Komani and the Daleview Equestrian Academy in King William’s Town will also join in the happy event.
“We plan to rock East London and surrounds with groups performing the dance at multiple venues all around the region. The Old Selbornian Club will be the main hub, and we are hoping to have at least 30 venues in and around EL,” Eldridge said.
Dancers will be split up into groups of 30 to 50 people in each venue to keep to social distance protocols. Each venue will also have an instructor for all dancers to follow.
“All dancers, male and female, old and young, will dance the
Jerusalema at their chosen venue at exactly the same time. Masks will be worn and social distancing will be adhered to,”
Eldridge said.
“The aim of this event is to unite East London during these trying times. The emphasis is on fun, and lots of it.”
One of the instructors, local dance teacher and studio owner Jo Jackson, said she was extremely excited.
“I think with everything that’s been going on and the negativity that Covid-19 has brought, this is a positive. When we are all dancing and doing the challenge it can give us some enjoyment and we can forget about all the things that have caused us stress in this really tough 2020,” said Jackson, who will be based at Nahoon Beach for the challenge.
“It’s awesome that a local artist’s music could have brought about such an inspiring challenge that has taken the world by storm. It’s a good testament of being a South African and how there is so much good here and how unified we can be.”
Fellow instructor and Cyfadance founder Ben Rexana will be based at the Mdantsane Mall for the challenge.
He said he was looking forward to working with his community.
“The kids in my community [Mdantsane] are in it as well as some of the doctors I have taught the dance to previously. It’s very motivating for me to be working with them on the dance during this pandemic. They all need the break and something positive and fun,” Rexana said.
Eldridge said they hoped to have more than 1,000 dancers, and were in the process of identifying more venues for the event.The event is free and participants have the option of purchasing a commemorative hoodie or T-shirt.
*For more information on how to be a part of this event, please contact Eldridge on 083284-3781 or
The aim of this event is to unite East London during these trying times. The emphasis is on fun, and lots of it