11-Year-Old Letlotlo Tsiane Falls in Love with Latin Dance

(The Post News)– Building on a rich foundation of an artistic family, 11-year-old Letlotlo Tsiane from the outskirts of Pretoria has already cemented her status as a local star, with dreams of making it globally.

For Tsiane from Mabopane, “Latin dance is not just a pursuit but an inheritance of dancing that runs” in her family. The young local star spoke to The Post News about her journey as a Latin dancer in a community that is not used to this style of dance.

Tsiane shared that she discovered her passion for dance at a very young age, drawing inspiration from the vibrant dance culture in her community. “Mabopane is vibrant and full of energy with festivals almost every weekend, but it’s uncommon for someone to focus on what many people here still consider a ‘Western’ style,” she noted.

According to Tsiane, this realization motivated her to break stereotypes and set herself apart from others in her community. “Growing up in a family of dancers and my passion for Latin dancing made me realize that dance was not just about movement,” she asserted.

She further expressed that Latin dancing is about the connection that makes her feel alive when performing on stage. Moreover, Tsiane shared how years of disciplined practice have earned her numerous awards and trophies in competitions, making her mark in community competitions.

Tsiane Highlights Her Determination for Success

“I have learned that practice makes perfect because ever since I started dancing, I have been sweeping numerous regional and provincial titles in competitions,” she said. She also mentioned that she has had to make sacrifices to be recognized amongst the best dancers.

Additionally, the rising star explained that she has had to miss spending time with friends for practice; however, she believes that “it was all worth it.” Tsiane has now qualified to perform on the national level of Latin dance competitions in November. She expressed her eagerness to “win in the international competitions qualifier” and declared that she “hopes to carry the hopes” of her community.

For Tsiane, qualifying for the South Africa National Team would be her ticket to continue inspiring others to follow their dreams. “I want to inspire others to pursue their dream and invest in their talent because it does not matter where you come from; it is about where you are going,” she noted.

She further encouraged other young dancers to believe in themselves, saying, “When you are determined and believe that you can do something, everything around you should not matter.”