The City of Johannesburg’s Sport and Recreation, along with KD Adams Dance Academy, recently hosted the Disability Dance Show, with each movement communicating a message and delivering stories to the audience through the performer’s bodies. The dancers, hailing from schools across the City, came together on 20 August 2022, at the Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre for the much-anticipated show.
Hope School, Simunye School of Nations Pre-School, and Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School were a few of the participating schools.
“It’s always incredible to see learners perform; they are so energetic and take it with such enthusiasm; these learners have so much to offer all of us in terms of opening ourselves to what it means to be human and to be joyous, witty, funny, and live life in all of its complexities,” said Joey Meyer, an assistant of the Disability Dance Show.
“Dance is the most potent instrument for self-expression, joyful exercise, and emotional upliftment. Dance promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being, making it the ideal life skill for persons with impairments,” said Cllr Ronald Harris, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg.
“The partnership between Sport and Recreation and K D Adams Academy is admirable and should spread to other regions of the City of Johannesburg,” he added.
Vanessa Montanus, the City’s Assistant Director for Sport and Recreation in Region B, welcomed everyone and encouraged the students, saying that this is a platform and an opportunity to be heard and seen promoting healthy lifestyle.
“The purpose of this event was to develop and provide a platform and experience for youngsters living with disabilities to demonstrate their talents, thereby contributing to one of the City’s caring city strategies,” Montanus explained.
As Latin, ballroom, and Latin cardio dances were showcased, the choreography was tough yet graceful, expressive and profound.
“To get something right, one needs to have a positive attitude because with a positive attitude you are halfway there and the rest just comes effortlessly,” said Nika du Toit, a teacher at Hope School.
“Our school has 200 students, and we have 50 students here today, so it’s clear that the Disability Dance Show is an amazing opportunity to get out, have fun, and put a smile on the students’ faces as a sense of full-bodied moving and a ton of imagination is showcased,” she added.
Written by Ntombifuthi Junerose Nkosi
23/08/2022