Young dancers

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Music

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It's not strictly a ballroom, but 4 nights a week this community hall is home to the budding Astaire's and Roger's of the township of Kwanebushle.  Couples from 6 to 19 dance under the watchful eye of Zolile Majiya.

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Music

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Zolile's informal academy began 2 years ago when he started teaching his own children the steps he learnt in his youth.  Since then it has grown to be the biggest thing in the lives of the young and the very young of Kwanebushle.

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Zolile Majiya talks to camera

Well there is a big following.  Even the parents are now involved in the ballroom dancing

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Music

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Today there's a special intensity about the dance class.  It's the final rehearsal before the big day of the year.  At the weekend, the Kwanebushle dancers will travel the near-by industrial town of Uitenhage to take on the best of the local dancers in a regional competition.

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Excited children's voices

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The township troop has been competing for more than a year, but for some dancers like Clio Matiso it will be the first taste of the big time.

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Zoliles' dance classes are an oasis in Kwanebushle's recreational dessert.  For children like Clio, ballroom dancing gives a view of a brighter world away from the often-hard daily realities of township life.

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In the years of the struggle, liberation was put ahead of everything else in the townships.  Recreation was a last priority and now, even after 2 years of democracy, one of the biggest problems in the townships is that there's just nothing to do.

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They just roam about the streets and ultimately they're involved in such things as grass and sometimes child abuse.  Parents started sending their children to the hall.  They have encouraged us to go on with the ballroom dancing because it is the only sport so far which has taught our children how to respect each other.

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Zolile himself lives in a newer and better part of Kwanebushle.  Inside his home is already filling up with the trophies won by the township's most promising dancer, Zolile's son Makuzini.  He hopes to add to the trophy haul at the weekend competition.  But to do that he has to overcome the hottest dancer in the region, a twelve-year-old from nearby Transkei, and Makuzini is not optimistic.

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In the ballroom I'm going to come 2nd or 3rd because he's a good foxtrot dancer.

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Sounds of packing shelves

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For Zolile, the day before the Uitenhage competition is just another day at work.  He is a mail- clerk in an insurance company in Port Elizabeth, an hour from his home, and today he's the centre of attention in the tea-trolley chat.

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And what is your favourite step?

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Mine, the tango.  I like tango.

You like the tango!

Music

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Saturday, competition day, starts early for Clio and the other dancers.  After the final touches from mother the butterfly emerges from her cocoon, to a critical review from her sisters.

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Clapping

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Zolile provides a final run through as he collects his young charges before they face the big time.

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Music

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The Uitehage town hall has drawn dancers from a dozen local centres.  Clio and her partner Ondile are first to face their moment of judgement.

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Music

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Evening has fallen by the time Kwanebushle's brightest hope takes the floor.  Zolile's son Makuzini and his partner Umchumisa have been given number 308.  His arch rivals, the foxtrotters from Transkei, a brother and sister team Numkile and Nosipo Chesi, have drawn number 120. The start is smooth but as the rival couples swirl towards each other disaster looms.

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Music

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As the evening goes on local professionals take over in serious tails and frocks.

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Music

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After the last dance, it's the moment of truth for the couples hoping for a glittering prize. In the under 12's its come down to just 2 couples, Makuzini and Umchumisa and the Transkei brother and sister team. It's Transkei.  There'll eb no new trophies on Makuzini's shelf tonight. But for Kwanebushle the night is not yet over.  Clio and Ondile are still in the running in their group.

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And it's a win for the newcomers.

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Music

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It's midnight and the competition is over, but on the dance floor it's on again for young and old.

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Music

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Ends                      

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