Durban - A local dance group are hard at work fundraising to make their dream - of representing South Africa in an international dancing competition - come true.
The Survivor Crew, a hip-hop dance group formed in Inanda five years ago, made the cut in their category where they came top in the country out of 29 acts , making it to the final leg of the World of Dance Championship taking place in Los Angeles on July 26.
World of Dance is the largest international urban dance competition and focuses on the art of street dancing.
The crew is made up of Mlondi Ndlovu, Khulekani Ndimande, Enver Moolla and Phiwah Zwane.
Moolla said fundraising had been slow, “but we will keep pushing”, he said. So they had planned their own fundraiser in Durban North which would take place as part of a Family Day at Four15 Restaurant on Sunday, July 1.
Moolla added their determination to get to the World of Dance was driven by the death of one of their crew members, Sanele Shangase in 2016.
“We have to make the crew a success in his memory. The number of dance crews in Durban has reduced and our city is depending on us to represent Durban in LA. While we have worked hard over these years, we didn’t expect this opportunity to come so soon”.
He said if they got a chance to go to LA, not only would they be holding the Survivor and Durban flag high, they would also be flying the South African flag for everyone to see.
“We want to show the world what South Africans are capable of. We are self-taught, passionate friends who joined together to positively change our own lives through our shared love of dance.
“I work as a dance teacher on a full time basis and the other three crew members teach/work part-time. As Survivors, we strive to share our talents and knowledge with the youth and up-and-coming performers and dancers in Durban. We teach extramural dance and we also host dance workshops”.
Local companies like the Slime Workshop, Plan B Dessertery and Four15 Restaurant have rallied to support the group. The family day will be at Four15 restaurant on Mackeurtan Avenue, Durban North, noon to 3pm where The Survivor Crew are set to perform.
“We really urge people to help us as we want to represent our country,” said Moolla.