Botswana DanceSport Association (BODANSA) has been commended for the approach they have developed in intensifying DanceSport in the country. Speaking after the Nickel DanceSport Fiesta that was held at Selebi Phikwe over the weekend, the Chairperson of Adjudicators, Isaac Mofokeng, noted that developing dance in schools is a very good initiative.
He noted that dancers got to be groomed from an earlier age, something which is very good for every sport.
“Sports development from a tender age is very important, children catch what they are being taught easily and it is also easy to correct their mistakes unlike with adults. The younger children also grasp basic steps from below and they also develop very good ground rules,” he said.
He noted that from their home country, they have failed to establish such relationships with schools and urged BODANSA to continue with it. Mofokeng further stated that the fiesta went well, adding that Botswana has well developed dancers who need to improve on a few mistakes and will be on point.
“In essence, Botswana got dancers who are very good. They just need to work on their footwork, turns and they will be on point,” he said.
He also stated that the HIP HOP section is also coming up well. Another adjudicator for the night, Mongezi Bungxu, added that he realized there is lack of teamwork between the dancers.
“It is quite clear dancers aren’t helping each other with their steps but it should not be like that. If you realize one isn’t doing their steps right, correct them. Communication is the best tool in DanceSport,” he said. He also advised dancers to use DanceSport shoes and not grasshoppers as they are rubber shoes and not good. BODANSA president, Losika Mosarwa, explained that they are striving to be the number one sport in the country as well as hold the Botswana flag up high.
“Just recently we sent a team of four athletes to Denmark to participate in the Copenhagen Open Championship. It turned out to show there is dance in Africa following the recognition they got. This also put the Botswana flag high,” he said.
Lopang Beleng and Lone Lesego of Rhythm Divine walked away with the championship title whilst UB DanceSport managed to scoop all their section representations. The club had six athletes representing it in the Adult level 4 Latin, Adult Pre-Champ and Adult level 3 Latin.
Thabang Moleele and Kesego Dioka, Keabetswe Ramocha and Goitse Matlho and Refilwe Gagotshajwe and Oratile Sesenyi, all from UB DanceSport club, walked away with the titles respectively.
However, Tlhalogang CJSS scooped most medals of the day followed by Metsemasweu CJSS. The competition saw participation of one hundred and twenty couples from 16 clubs and also had 41 competition categories.
There were Juveniles, Junior, Adult, All ladies, and Hip Hop competitions which were also divided into levels and dances.
Among the dances performed during the day were Samba, Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive, Mambo, Quickstep, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz and Slow Foxtrot.
The Nickel Fiesta was organized by BODANSA and held at Selebi Phikwe Town Hall over the weekend. Three adjudicators from South Africa, Mofokeng, Mangaliso Nkwe and Bungxu were judges of the day.
Other dignitaries who graced the event were the Member of Parliament for Selibe Phikwe West, Gilson Saleshando, town mayor, Lekang Mokokomane and District Commissioner Mr. Khumokeeng.
