NEW KIND OF FOOTWORK FOR MANANA
Slimmed-down former Bok trips the light fantastic and learns dancing is not for faint-hearted
KNOWN as the “teddy bear” on the first season of Dancing with the Stars SA, Port Elizabeth-born Thando Manana has not only shed a few kilos but believes he has not done at all badly considering he is the biggest guy on the show.
Manana said he had also discovered more about himself since he started showing off his surprise moves to the country.
The 39-year-old from New Brighton – who is best known for being the third black South African Springbok player, an author, rugby commentator and member of the infamous Room Dividers team on Metro FM – described his journey on the show so far as surprising.
“Being a first-time dancer in a competitive field is challenging because I have been a sportsman all my life.
“I know the field, the grass and the gym, but now I’ve exchanged that for dance shoes and having to watch my posture while executing sleek moves.
“I must say – on a personal note – I have done exceptionally well because being able to start and finish a dance in front of a live audience without major mistakes made me feel good about my abilities.
“I am the biggest guy in the contest and how well we finished off our dance on the first episode makes me happy with my progress,” he said.
Manana joined the cast of celebrity contestants – including former Bafana Bafana soccer star Delron Buckley and award-winning actress Zola Nombona – being put through their paces in the gruelling practice sessions, but he makes the waltz, tango and jive look like a walk in the park.
He is partnered with fellow Port Elizabeth-born Michelle Oppenshaw, an international dancing judge.
“I have a wonderful partner who has so much patience with me and all the credit for us doing this well is really due to her,” he said.
“It was a perfect match because we were both born in PE even though she moved to Pretoria at a later stage in her life. We work well together.
“We just want the people from our hometown to rally behind us.”
Speaking about his experience during the practice sessions, Manana said: “I am surprised with the way I managed to keep up with the upbeat and fast-paced tempo.
“I have already lost 13 kilos and, for those who think dancing is easy, I learnt it is not for the faint-hearted.
“I feel refreshed for the week ahead. We are looking forward to the dance this Sunday,” he said.
The contestants are given a song and a dance style for which Oppenshaw has to develop choreography.
Manana said they often rehearsed for up to 10 hours a day.
On what he has learnt about himself during the competition, he said: “That I can overcome any obstacles placed in my way.
“And just breathing my way through it, relaxing my body and muscles, tends to work for me.
“And I am always in control – panicking is pointless.”