Narrator:

Ballroom dancing is the second most popular pastime in South Africa. It is passionately practised by hundreds of thousands of devotees of all ages, classes, and cultures.

The highlight of the ballroom dancing year is this annual international competition at Sun City where South African professional and amateur dancers compete with participants from all over the world. Competition is fierce, and, after registration, the entrants primp, preen, and practise 'til the very last moment.

Appearance is paramount and parents and teachers bring a range of equipment, outfits, and gadgets to beautify and decorate the dancers. Tension mounts as the finishing touches are made to the expectant competitors, who will be judged on presentation, poise, and dancing expertise.

Moves are rehearsed, ties are straightened, dresses are smoothed, and numbers are adjusted.

SC Event MC 1:

Thank you, heat number one. Heat number two, on to the floor, please.

Here we go.

Narrator:

Engrossed parents, many of whom were ballroom dancers themselves, watch their children go through their paces. It's a serious business even for the youngest of dancers.

SC Dancer 1:

I like dancing, because it's fun. Dancing is teaching us something that other people don't know.

SC Dancer 2:

It's very good for a child to dance.

SC Dancer 3:

You still go in the dance practise, practise every day one and a half hour every day. If you finished to study, your homeworks, and finished everything in your home. I love dance.

SC Dancer 4:

We think it is part of our life. That is why we like it.

SC Dancer 5:

Dancing is also interesting.

SC Dancer 4:

This is the only way we can relax our minds from college.

SC Attendee 1:

They don't go out, move around in the streets, so that is why I like it.

SC Attendee 2:

Yes, he doesn't want to smoke. He doesn't want to drink, always happy dancing. I'm proud, because at school he's [inaudible 00:07:14]. He gets number one and number two. [inaudible 00:07:19] that's why I say, he can go to dance.

SC Dancer 6:

No, I just love dance, because it keeps me away from the street. [crosstalk 00:07:29] boys just like that. Since I start to dance at age of two, I'm still dancing. I'm in four times now. I still want to go far.

SC Attendee 3:

... on how to live with people and how to socialise and how to behave themselves. They grow up very good as human beings, as very good human beings.

SC Dancer 5:

Safety when they're coming to dance. They will not have problems-

SC Dancer 4:

Drugs.

SC Dancer 5:

... and they will be safe. They won't do other-

SC Dancer 4:

Get involved-

SC Dancer 5:

... things.

SC Dancer 4:

... in drugs and alcohol, something like that. They'll be very safe, especially children. They'll know about the future and socialising with other people.

SC Attendee 4:

I was just looking for the right channel to know where my child is every time. This is, I think this is a good thing. He's trying. We are also trying the best.

SC Dancer 7:

One of the things you get to know so many people, and then it makes you feel great whenever ... Sometimes you achieve something indeed. Then it makes me feel great whenever I have something. It shows that in my life I am improving from one step up to the next.

SC Event MC 2:

C, D and E.

Speaker 1:

Yes.

SC Event MC 2:

Starting off the show A, B, C, D, and E.

SC Dancer 8:

Oh, I'm so glad I'm on first.

SC Dancer 9:

[inaudible 00:10:15] your foot.

SC Event MC 2:

Fantastic dancers indeed. Give them a big hand.

Narrator:

One of the leading lights in the ballroom dancing world is Priscilla Myburgh, a former ballroom dancing champion from Eldorado Park who has devoted the last 20 years to teaching ballroom dancing to children.

Priscilla M.:

For the past 20 years, I have been doing it free for the love of dancing and children.

It keeps them off the street. Crime, doing unnecessary things like smoking, fighting. They feel so nice and fresh, getting back home, starting all over with their schoolwork.

It really encourage them to do better at school, because they've got to give in those extra two hours three or twice a week.

I don't want wrong steps. Check the little ones as you do it. I can't watch everybody.

I can tell you the parents do appreciate me.

[inaudible 00:12:54].

I don't see a proper drag. I want you to use your big toe, inside edge of big toe. The bigger boys mind the smaller ones. Please turn your foot and use your big toe.

I'm not happy with this hold. Close all her fingers. This, the left side is the girl's side. The right side, this is your side. I don't want you this side. Right, this belongs to you. Here, my lady, is a mirror. Here is a mirror. You look yourself in the mirror, right? Right?

You must spin for me. Children, I want to see you spin. Right. That's right and right around.

I must see that. You push out as you drop your back heel. I must see that. Okay. Now, we're going to try and do it with partners, and then we include a New Yorker. We include a time step and, if possible, a shoulder to shoulder step. This just basics.

Watch the time step. Let's go the time step, and it's, of course, the shoulder to shoulder. If you can go into your fan and hockey sticks today. You will master it with the others next week. Go into a fan and hockey stick. Of course, it's a fan and hockey stick.

Back to basics, and you do all four. Repeat it. Okay, back to your partners now. Back to your partners. Let's see then. [inaudible 00:15:26] Spread out, all stand in a circle now.

Narrator:

Priscilla is solving a minor crisis, enters her students at the prestigious Sun City finals.

Priscilla M.:

[inaudible 00:15:37].

Speaker 2:

Is somebody missing?

Priscilla M.:

Where is [inaudible 00:15:41]?

SC Event MC 2:

Where's the partner?

Speaker 3:

[inaudible 00:15:44]?

SC Event MC 2:

In the toilet?

Speaker 3:

Yeah.

SC Event MC 2:

We've got to go to [inaudible 00:15:51]. Start off with a waltz.

Priscilla M.:

[inaudible 00:16:33].

SC Event MC 2:

Now to the semifinals of the junior bronze ballroom. [inaudible 00:16:54].

Two, 67, 72, 74, and 132.

Narrator:

Ballroom dancing is a way of life where people of all ages and backgrounds eagerly participate in this physically and spiritually rewarding activity. It's a discipline which is particularly effective for young people promoting a positive and healthy lifestyle. It counteracts many of today's negative influences, such as violence and drug abuse and promotes harmony and balance.

The dancers samba and rumba their way through the Latin American finals. It's a magical world where reality is suspended in a fantasy of swirling satin and rhythmic moves.

City Halls from Cape Town to Bloemfontein, from Durban to Johannesburg reverberate regularly with the lilting sounds of the quickstep, waltz, and samba. In a country still suffering from the divisions of the past, ballroom dancing is an activity with many beneficial social implications promoting unity, tolerance, and understanding. It increases poise and self-confidence, involves the whole family, and is entertaining and fun. Whether you're a beginner or a professional, whether you wear homemade outfits or couture gowns, you can dream of waltzing your way to the top.

Competitions are a social occasion where families, babies, friends, and relatives gather to support and encourage the competitors. This competition at the Johannesburg City Hall is the highlight of the year for these dancers. Their hard work and perseverance might well win them a coveted trophy.

Here, David Lazarus, from Rheingold Furnishers, a committed ballroom dancing sponsor, explains the benefits of ballroom dancing.

David Lazarus:

It's way of breaking out of the problem areas that do exist where people do struggle because of economic difficulties. I think the opportunity that's presented to them ... Because they're not making money. They're dancing for trophies, so there's a tremendous competitive spirit amongst them. Really, in the end, they're getting a trophy as evidence of their commitment to dancing right through the year. It's just a wonderful recreational activity that they participate in.

Narrator:

It's a time for celebration for the winners. From the teenager to the tiny tot as they proudly accept their trophies. These rewards for hard work, discipline, and persistence will no doubt inspire these dancers to greater heights in the magical world of ballroom dancing.

J Presenter 1:

What are you so excited about?

J Dancer 1:

Oh, gosh.

J Presenter 1:

I think you're proud of something. Look, what you did! Well done.

J Dancers:

Whoo!

J Presenter 1:

A little one for the little girl. Well done.

J Presenter 2:

Very well done. Very nice. Here we go.

SC Event MC 1:

Thank you, dancers. Ladies and gentlemen ...