Rhythm is a Dancer

by | Jul 12, 2023 | CSA Celebrates, Culture, Entertainment, Talent

  • Styles, vibes and heritage.
  • Bontle Modiselle.
  • Ntuthuzelo Prince Grootboom.
  • Courtnae Paul.
  • Letlhogonolo Molefi.

South Africans have danced their way from Africa’s ancient history through apartheid, into freedom and now in the digital age. It’s an artform that pioneered integration, innovated music genres and continues to fire up our collective heritage and traditions.

Indeed, our unique diversity provides an insightful, nuanced perspective on the conversation of dance. Only here in Mzansi can India’s classical Bharata Natyam style of dance cosy up to and find intimacy alongside an imposing Zulu warrior as they echo the same basic movements, alive with textural contrasts. Between the elegance of classical ballet dancers and the rhythmic slaps of palms beating gumboots, to hypnotic pantsula steps and mesmerising Tsonga hip swivels, heritage collides with trends and innovation. Even South Africa’s biggest current cultural export, Amapiano, comes with its own set of moves. Amapiano has created trending dance moves such as “the pouncing cat”, the “Zekethe”, the “Dakiwe challenge” and the famous “Mlando” dance move. The dance style is all the rage at the moment, segueing into a style now seen globally, in the UK, the US and Europe.

As The Wire vibes with the Music Issue, we recognize those who move to it. Meet some of our favourite dancers.

Bontle Modiselle

Choreographer, Dancer and Performance Director

Bontle Moloi, previously Modiselle, is a leader of dance & dance culture in Africa as a dancer but also as a Choreographer and Performance Director. As a performer, she gained attention by winning “Best Female Dancer” in 2007 and Runner-Up in “Best Small Group” category in 2009 at “Masters of Rhythm”, at the time, the biggest Dance Competition in South Africa. Most recently, she was the lead choreographer for the Netflix Original production, Jiva!, a first for an African woman.

In 2015, Bontle was cast as the lead female character in Africa’s First Dance Feature Film – Hear Me Move – and her performance in the film landed her a nomination for Best Actress at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) which has propelled Bontle’s career into the mainstream entertainment industry.

In the process she has hosted a range of mainstream television shows – Showville (2016), Club 808 (2017), Ultimate House Party (2018) and One Mic (2019) – while also venturing into Radio in 2018 as a Co-Host on YFM’s “The Rodeo” with broadcast legend Siyabonga ‘Scoop’ Ngwekazi.

Bontle has choreographed talent, performed on and/or hosted some of the largest live productions, Corporate Events, recorded and broadcasted Productions in Africa including “Lip Sync Battle”, “MTV Africa Music Awards”, “Metro FM Awards”, “Channel O GLO CAF Awards” (Nigeria), “MTV Europe Music Awards” and, most recently, hosted the 27th South African Music Awards (2021) on SABC.

Bontle has also worked alongside some of the Africa’s most recognised artists, choreographing performances and productions for Salief Keita, D’Banj, Wizkid, Iyanya and Awilo Longomba.

Ntuthuzelo Prince Grootboom

Dancer, Choreographer, Actor and Musician.

Ntuthuzelo “Prince” Grootboom is a South African Dancer, Choreographer, Actor and Musician. He discovered his passion for dance at the age of 12 and his career has allowed him to travel and showcase African moves to the world.

From Zwide in the Eastern Cape, Prince made his television acting debut in the Netflix dance series Jiva!, in 2021. He is also known for his starring role as Prince Melisizwe, the son of King Jonginamba KaMajola, in the 1Magic fantasy telenovela 1802: Love Defies Time.

His dance styles include Dance-Fit, Hip Hop Dance in Heels. Among his accolades and achievements are having been cast on Netflix’s Jiva!;  the Amapiano Awards; Idols Seasons 14 and 15 (where he performed at the showstopper grand finale); Miss South Africa; the South African Film and Television Awards; Lead Male Dancer/Assistant Choreographer at the South African Music Awards for music by Zakwe, Sjava, Simmy & Sun-El Musician and; Choreographing music videos for Noble Jay and Moonchild Sanelly.

Lethlogonolo Tlhogi Molefi

Street Dancer and Choreographer.

Letlhogonolo Molefi is a self-taught South African Street Dancer and Choreographer. Her professional dance career took off when she started choreographing for popular South African dancer & singer, Kamo Mphela’s music videos, stage performances and dance campaigns. Through her working closely with Mphela, she has travelled across the globe, teaching and showcasing South Africa’s most popular dance styles.

She specializes in a street interpretation of Gqom and Sbhujwa and Molefi’s accolades and achievements also include being the Choreographer on Netflix series, Jiva!; and performance at the Amapiano “Amafest” event in London.

Courtnae’ Paul

Award winning Breaking Champ, B-Girl, Hip Hop & Afro DJ.

Courtnaé Paul  is an Award-winning, internationally recognised B-Girl, Choreographer and DJ hailing from Durban, South Africa. To date she has travelled to more than 20 countries, while ‘casually’ headlining a NYE event in Dubai, and teaching workshops around the globe.

Courtnaé’s journey has been a wild ride, complete with rubbing elbows with some of the biggest names in the music industry including Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Fatman Scoop, Rae Sremmurd, Burna Boy, and Omarion. She has also worked with some of South Africa’s hottest talents, including Kwesta, Moonchild Sanelly, Sho Madjozi, Khuli Chana, and the late AKA.

As a DJ she kept the beats pumping on Channel O’s Lockdown House Party as well as the #Get2GetherExperience on Metro FM and SABC 1. A driven multi-hyphenated talent, Courtnaé also managed to fit in releasing a debut EP, “Got Next”, while launching her own online show, “Spare Room Sessions”.

With Breaking having been added as an official sport to the Olympic Games, Courtnaé is currently on the road to qualifying for the 2024 Games. She comes armed with her South African colours, Breaker Of The Year Award and two back-to-back wins at Breaking For Gold SA Nationals, coupled with her recent participation in international qualifiers in Seoul, South Korea and Kitakyushu, Japan.

The three-time SA champ stands tall as the highest ranked B-Girl on the entire African continent, ready to break even more barriers and inspire a new generation of athletes to follow in her footsteps. You can also find her flexing a marketing muscle – or three – in campaigns for the likes of  Nike x Fifa, Fitbit, and Sprite.

C.S.A.’s monthly cultural portal, The WIRE connects the dots of culture. With concise stories, many with video content, take a premium dive into the world of African entertainment & cultural fluidity. It’s one thing to be hip to what’s happening but it is another to know why.

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