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Hosted by SUNCOAST in partnership with Makulu Event Producers, Footsteps to Fortune attracted more than 400 dance hopefuls in 2008 and 2009, and included two months of intense preparation in the build-up to last week’s final event.
With a sensational fusion of freestyle hip-hop, krump, kwaito and pantsula, Enver out-danced his fellow contestants to clinch the grand prize of R15 000 in cash, plus sponsored prizes including a Samsung digital camera and two gigabyte iPod from Hirsch, a Rhythmic Beats shopping voucher and a hamper from Coca Cola.
Twenty-two year old Enver has been dancing professionally for seven years and performs with a gospel dance outfit called God’s Most Wanted (GMW). Nicknamed ‘Captain’ by his fellow dancers and judges thanks to his ability to ‘keep the troops going’ during rehearsals, this seasoned dancer admitted, “The standard of dancing in the Footsteps to Fortune competition was extremely high, however I remained confident throughout of my chances of winning it.”
While the judges, dance professionals Musa Hlatswayo, Megan Lamb and Rajiv Mothie, had their work cut out for them, they were no doubt helped out by rapturous applause and cheers from the audience as the top 12 performed to their own choreography and music.
A major highlight of the event was a special dance tribute to Michael Jackson, choreographed to perfection by Durban style guru Kevin Ellis and featuring the top 12 performing a ‘Thriller’ sequence among other Jackson hits.
Second place and R5 000 in cash and sponsored prizes went to krump star Tebogo Mncwabe, 19, of Kwa-Mashu, who was also a finalist last year.
Third place went to 16-year-old Mallory Van Niekerk of Wentworth, whose transformation from a bespectacled high school student into a sizzling hip-hop stage persona scooped her a cool R2 500 in cash and sponsored prizes.
Choreographer’s Awards went to to three finalists for their impressive routines:
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Nhlanhla Chiliza, 23, of Umlazi, whose comedic sketch choreography encouraged howls of appreciation throughout the competition;
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Nicole Beneke, 16, of Umhlanga, a versatile and classically trained dancer whom Ellis called “an all-round pleasure to work with”, and
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the winner, Enver Moolla.
The other finalists were: Andile Buthelezi, 19, of Pinetown; Chontell Randles, 26, of Westville; Christopher Enicker, 22, of Wentworth; Ngcebo Nzama, 18, of Kwa-Mashu; Nhlanhla Chiliza, 23, of Umlazi; Nokuphiwa Majola, 19, of Kwa-Mashu; Verdene Van Zyl, 23, of Wentworth; and Justin Young, 17, of New Germany, who withdrew prior to the finals.
All finalists each received a two gigabyte iPod Shuffle sponsored by Hirsch as well as a Coca Cola hamper. In addition, the top 22 in the competition have been entered into the Youth Film Development Project (YFDP) talent pool to be eligible for opportunities in forthcoming music videos, feature films, live productions, thanks to the efforts of Footsteps to Fortune judge and YFDP South African Ambassador, Rajiv Mothie. |
