The new Brighton dance school has classes five times a week at Mmabatho Stadium.
The dance school in Mahikeng founded by a dedicated professional dancer, choreographer, adjudicator, speaker and performing art facilitator; Tshepiso Brighton Khumalo, is one of the most consistent dance schools representing North West on national and international platforms. His dance school also dominated the REVOLUTIONAL DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP held at GERMISTON ELSPARK HIGH SCHOOL.
A dancer from Khumalo's dance school practices ballet at the University of Pretoria. Since 2011, he has been imparting a mix of contemporary and African dance to young people, “I don’t even want them to specialise with anything, I am teaching them anything and everything that I am able to teach them and then as they grow, they will pick up what do they want to do”, says Khumalo.
Having danced at a professional level and won number of awards and accolades like being 2021 provincial recognition award winner for dance category, he wanted to share his passion with children who also want to be stars. As a choreographer, he has over 20 theatrical productions that went to most festivals such as Tembisa Theatre, PACOFS, Mmabana Thaba-Nchu, Mmabana Mahikeng and State Theatre.
“I am not only teaching dance, I am teaching kids to have confidence, to be bold and make sure that they have a mindset that they can achieve anything they put their mind to, hence I don’t only teach them dance; we do public speaking, presentations and also modelling,” says Khumalo.
The classes cater for children from four (4) to twenty (20) years old. A monthly donation of R400 allows one child to attend classes five days a week. The dance school relies on donations from parents for their kids to partake in competitions.
Khumalo says dance fosters internationalism and friendship, “Irrespective of where we are situated, we are able to make friends abroad since we compete with other provinces and countries”. He added that dance teaches you how to manage your time, take care of yourself, and avoid unpleasant circumstances.
Tshepiso Brighton Khumalo is now concentrating on creating the futures of a new generation through teaching dance, national symbols, giving motivational speeches and hosting events that encourage youth participation and empowerment.
