MBABANE – Eswatini’s young ambassadors represented the nation with flawless charm at the ongoing Dance World finals in Ireland.
Talent and Motion shared on their Facebook page the girls walking out for the Parade of Nations and holding the national flag high under the global spotlight. “The parade made every tear, sacrifice and gruelling rehearsal worthwhile. The dancers are proving that their small nation possesses a massive heart and world-class talent, fueled by a supportive community back home,” read their post.
The international journey has only just begun. Over the weekend the team focused entirely on the elegance of traditional ballet and the team is already switching genres. Versatility remains the hallmark of the Talent n Motion Academy, which expanded its repertoire into several exciting new fields this year.
On Friday, the spotlight fell on brilliant dancer Kitso Makgeledisa. “She took the stage at 10am to deliver a performance packed with pure funk energy. Backstage photographs captured Makgeledisa just before she stepped into the spotlight to do what she does best,” read the caption on their page as the academy expressed immense pride in her ability to bring a fresh, entirely different dynamic to the world stage.
The squad continues to grow and shift gears daily, driving a wave of patriotic support and digital cheers from fans back home. Mukelwe Kunene danced her heart out on Sunday morning during a powerful contemporary solo. Some backstage imagery shows Kunene looking confident, following a performance that highlighted the academy’s core philosophy. “While the school places immense value on the foundational power of ballet, its dancers regularly explore diverse genres. Kunene delivered that signature magic on stage today (Sunday),” read caption. The Eswatini team was not yet complete at time as the final group of dancers was scheduled to arrive yesterday, bringing the entire squad together. Once the full line-up lands, the countdown to the final rounds officially begins.
The 2025 Dance World Cup World Finals took place in Burgos, Spain, bringing together over 25 000 people from July, 3 to 12. A total of 8 500 dancers from 51 countries performed more than 7 000 routines across four stages, two at Forum Evolution, one at Principal Theatre and one at Circle College.
The event featured 160 masterclasses, Street Battles and an exclusive performance by the 2025 DWC Contemporary Ballet Company with Richard Wherlock, presenting Ravel’s Bolero. Stephen Mear CBE and Ruthie Henshall created a Guys and Dolls piece for the Grand Finals.
DWC 2025 united talent, creativity and passion from around the globe in an unforgettable celebration of dance.
