Damasa dancers step up and steal the show
Winning moves, proud smiles! Damasa’s Elite Hip Hop group claimed first place at the SA Dance School Championships. From left: Sermei Bornman, Leane Oosthuizen, Danell Maree, Aliyah Fernandes, Kgolagano Oagile, Isabella Ferreira and Chere van Zyl.
Platinum Bushvelder newspaper | Thabazimbi – Damasa Dance School’s Elite Hip Hop group danced their way to first place at the SA Dance School Championships, proudly flying Limpopo’s flag at Lewende Woord in Centurion from 7 to 10 October 2026.
The group’s winning performance was among several standout achievements for the school, with dancers earning top placings across hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, ballet, acro and musical theatre. Kgolagano Oagile also claimed first place in hip hop, while Chere van Zyl finished second. Kgolagano and Danell Maree secured second place for their hip hop duet, with Clarissa and Anika Niemand taking second in the lyrical duet category. The championship success followed an impressive showing at the Limpopo Amateur Dance Festival in Modimolle, which brings together dance schools from across the province. Damasa’s Elite Hip Hop group received the Highest Scoring Overall Group and Best Choreography awards, recognising both the dancers’ performances and the creativity behind their routines.
Damasa dance instructor Dajana Rijetkovic Havenga praised the dancers for holding their own against strong competition. “As tough as this competition was, with incredible dancers from all over Gauteng and other regions, I am so proud of our girls. They really represented Limpopo and our studio with pride and passion!”
SA DANCE SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS First and second places
• Kgolagano Oagile: First in hip hop.
• Elite Hip Hop group: First in hip hop. Members are Chere van Zyl, Sermei Bornman, Aliyah Fernandes, Leane Oosthuizen, Kgolagano Oagile, Danell Maree and Isabella Ferreira.
• Clarissa and Anika Niemand: Second in lyrical duet.
• Chere van Zyl: Second in hip hop.
• Kgolagano Oagile and Danell Maree: Second in hip hop duet.
Further competitive section results
• Alice Jarman: Fourth in hip hop.
• Martelize Groenewald: Fourth in ballet.
• Leane Oosthuizen: Fifth in acro and fifth in musical theatre.
• Isabella Ferreira: Fifth in hip hop.
• Danell Maree: Sixth in hip hop and 15th in contemporary.
• Elite Contemporary Trio — Martelize Groenewald, Leane Oosthuizen and Danell Maree: Sixth in contemporary.
• Mi-Anke Balani: Sixth in acro and seventh in lyrical.
• Lounelle du Plessis: Eighth in acro.
• Anika Niemand: 10th in lyrical.
• Sermei Bornman: 14th in contemporary.