The Calvinia Sitstappers cultural dance group, from Calvinia in the Northern Cape, swept aside all opposition to win this year’s ATKV’s (Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuur Vereniging) Rieldans competition.
“It was a challenge to win the category. We put in everything to be successful. But we were not certain of success because the group we competed against in the final had a member who was a world champion. He was from the Graskoue Trappers (who went to dance in the US earlier this year). It was the first time we participated in a final at the ATKV,” said Calvinia Sitstappers leader Bobby Kok after their victory in the senior category of the 10-year-old annual competition.
The contest was held at the Liqui Fruit Amphitheatre in Paarl on Saturday.
What made their victory even sweeter, according to Kok, was that it was achieved against the Suurug Suurtrappers – last year’s ATKV Riel-dans champions.
He said the Graskoue Trappers, from Wupperthal, won this year’s junior category.
ATKV project co-ordinator Elias Nel said there were five groups each in the senior and junior categories. Category winners received R12 500 and a floating trophy.
Dancers under 18 fell into the junior category while the senior category was for those older than 18, said Nel.
The ATKV hosted the competition to promote the Afrikaans language and culture, he said.
Rieldans had since 2008 been in demand at numerous agricultural shows, community events and festivals, said Nel.