13 Aug 2025

Botswana is gearing up for the highly anticipated second annual edition of the Red Bull Dance Your Style competition, set to take place on August 16 at Molapo Crossing Piazza.

The event, more than just a dance competition, is a street cultural celebration that showcases raw talent and creativity. 

Dancers will battle for the title of champion, with the winner earning the prestigious opportunity to represent Botswana on the international stage in Los Angeles in October.

Audience participation lies at the heart of the competition, as spectators decide who owns the floor through their cheers and enthusiasm. Dancers perform freestyle routines to an unpredictable selection of music genres, ranging from Amapiano to hip-hop, chosen by the DJ on the spot.

Samantha Ncube, owner of Dance Space Studios and a Red Bull Dance Your Style consultant in Botswana, shared her excitement about the event. “This competition is a great platform for talented dancers to gain recognition and possibly have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent our country in the United States,” she said.

The competition, which first launched in Botswana in 2024, initially focused on Gaborone dancers. 

However, Ncube revealed that this year’s edition had expanded to include Francistown and she was impressed by the talent showcased there. 

“The level of skill was incredible,” she noted.

Ncube said while Botswana dancers possessed talent, there was a need to continue honing their craft. She encouraged dancers to showcase originality and creativity beyond trending TikTok dances. 

“The essence of Red Bull Dance Your Style is to give dancers a platform to express themselves through their own style, regardless of the music,” she explained. 

Leading up to the big day, a series of events aimed at discovering, celebrating, and elevating local talent have taken place. 

These included dance workshops, open public qualifiers and studio dance takeovers in both Francistown and Gaborone.

South Africa’s dancer and choreographer Hope Ramafalo has been involved in hosting dance workshops in Francistown and Gaborone, to  prepare the journey toward the finals. ENDS