Superb Dance Moves as NMBF Celebrates 42 Years at Gala Event

The Nelson Mandela Bay Dance Festival wowed its full-house audience at the Savoy Theatre on Saturday night.

The full programme had guests clapping throughout as they were entertained by the top performances from the six-day Festival.

From sassy modern dancers, graceful ballerinas, foot stamping hip hop to the adorable young dancers – the gala programme was a huge hit!

The Nelson Mandela Bay Dance Festival, which celebrated its 42nd anniversary this year, had a phenomenal response with the support from 22 dance studios across the Eastern and Western Cape and an impressive 1319 Festival performances.

“I am delighted to say that Nelson Mandela Bay Dance Festival 2023 has been a success on so many levels, said Nici Lovemore, chairlady of NMB Dance Festival.

“The pure exuberance of the dancers, the depth of talent and the diversity of studios and dance genres, made for a breathtaking week.

“With the support of our new sponsor, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Department of Arts and Culture, the spotlight is firmly on our region as an exceptional source of dance talent, proudly showcased on our stage throughout our Festival week,” added Lovemore.

Adjudicator, Desiree Green-Demianenko, owner of One Step Ahead Dance Studio based in Johannesburg, was so impressed with the talent showcased that she selected twenty-eight of the festival’s top performances for the gala evening, which included the championship winners performing for each genre.

“I feel both honoured and privileged to have been invited to judge these incredibly talented dancers at the prestigious NMBDF this year,” said Desiree.

Lilitha Jobela was the vibrant MC for the Gala evening.

Guests were entertained by a standout performance from All Starz Academy, featuring 12 young local rhythmic gymnastics in an African-inspired fusion dance and a special guest performance from 17- year old, Hannah Stiglingh, the star of the Gilbert and Sullivan Society theatre musical, Hairspray, which will be held at the Savoy Theatre in September.

The Gala’s highlight was the presentation of all the well-earned awards, trophies and all genre age category section winners.

The Ballet Championship winners were spread over a number of studios: for the girls, Junior Champion from Walmer School of Dance was Lucy Hutchinson, Junior Runner-up from Candice Johnstone Dance Academy, Vanilla Sponneck, Senior Champion from Susan Herbst School of Ballet, Rebecca van Huysteen and Senior Runner-up from Dance Dynamics, Kaitlynne Horne.

Ballet Championship awards for the boys: Junior Champion, Ncedakele Meleni and Junior Runner-up, Moses Nehemia, both of Robyn D’Arcy-The Studio, and Wyatt Ludick, Senior Champion from Candice Johnstone Dance Academy.

Gabriella Manuela Dos Santos and Likhaya Loyiti of Natasha Tait Dance Studio were selected as the Modern Dance Junior Girl and Senior Boy Champions. Gabriella was also the Modern Age Category Section winner (13 & 14) and Likhaya was the Modern Age Category Section winner (15-17).

Likhaya also dances for Susan Zerbst School of Ballet and was awarded the Senior Runner-up Champion award, the NMBDF Amateur Ballet Senior Bursary as well as the Best Senior dancer and the Ballinger Bursary of R5000 for dance expenses.

Polished dancers from Candice Johnstone Dance Academy scooped many of the Modern dance champion awards: Meg Wentzel was Junior Runner-up, Aisha James was Senior Champion, Gemma Ferreira was Senior Runner-up, Oliver Emms was Masters Champion and Ogi’yonke Oliphant won the Masters Runner-up.

Defying Gravity’s energetic dancers gathered up the Hip Hop awards: Kelly Schoeman, Senior Champion, Lathi Mgwebi, Masters Champion and Kelly Mathiesen, Masters Runner-up.

Both tap champions were from Totally Tap Dance Studio, Caryn Phillips, Junior Champion and Lia Faniko, Junior Runner-up.

Carmen’s School of Dance won the Hermie Award Trophy for the Best Ballet Group performance entitled, Time for Tea and their dancer, Celyn Godfrey won the Adjudicator’s Choice Award and the Little Cherub Dance Wear voucher for the best junior.

Dancers from Candice Johnstone Dance Academy shone at the awards with Mila Jackson receiving the Jenny Award for the most promising senior as well as the NMBDF Modern Bursary for the Amateur Modern Senior Award. Olivia Emms won the Ballinger Lovemore Trophy for the best senior student choreography and Wyatt Ludick won the Marlene Rubidge Live the Dream Trophy for his stage presence and performance.

Thalia Daniels from Feet on Fire, won the Merille Lane Platter for the most promising junior dancer and Nicole Hills, of Defying Gravity won the NMBDF Hip Hop Trophy for the most promising hip hop dancer.

Nicole Joka of Prestige School of Dance, won the Little Cherub Dance Wear Trophy for the most promising tap dancer, and Asiv Matai, of Totally Tap, won the NMBDF Tap Bursary for the Amateur Tap Senior Award.

The NMBDF Hip Hop Award was shared between Kelly Schoeman of Defying Gravity and Ashleigh Maling-Nel of Dance Dynamics.

Zelie de Villers won the National Trophy for the best junior dancer and The Warrior of Sidwell Roman School of Ballet won the National Trophy for the best senior group.

The Best Hip Hop Group Trophy was awarded to Beyonce of Feet on Fire, and the Best Modern Group Trophy was awarded to Requiem of Abbi Geldenhuys Academy of Ballet.

Lisle Ferreira of Hosking Academy of Dance won the Jean Cunningham for the Love of Dance Trophy.

Amelia Raubenheimer, of Abbi Geldenhuys Academy of Ballet won the Best Junior award and the Ballinger Bursary of R5000 for dance expenses.

NMBDF has grown in leaps and bounds over the last 4 decades and is forward to hosting its annual Legacy Dance Festival again in August next year.