Mabifhi takes dance moves to LA
18 Aug 2025
Tonota native Malebogo Mabifhi, 28, AKA Lebo M has won the Red Bull Dance Your Style competition, securing her spot at the US World final to be held in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome on October 11.
This year’s event was a major showdown at Molapo Piazza in Gaborone, where 16 finalists brought their best moves to the floor, captivating the crowd with their creativity, energy and unique styles. In the mixed-style competition, the winner was decided entirely by the audience’s vote.
Lebo M faced off against Michael ‘Oga’ Okere in the final, with both dancers bringing intense, individual flair to three different songs and genres. The audience cheered for Lebo M, as she impressed them with her hip-hop, amapiano, kwaito and retro dance styles. Her versatility, she said was her greatest strength.
“I always try and manipulate my dance styles into whatever genre of music the DJ plays and combine that style with my original style,” Lebo M said in a post-win interview.
She emphasised that street dance was all about freedom of expression and being confident enough to follow one’s instincts.
“Whatever comes to your mind, whatever your legs, your body is telling you to do, just do it and do it confidently,” she added.
Now, as she prepares for the world stage in LA, Lebo M said she planned to incorporate African dance genres to help her stand out. She acknowledged that the competition would, however, not be easy but she was ready to showcase Botswana’s talent.
“I am going to show the world what Botswana has and throw in a few trendy moves there and personalise them as much as possible giving the world something a little unique for their eyes,” she said, confident that her character, personality and facial expressions would be her secret weapon.
Lebo M’s victory makes her the second woman to take the top spot in the country’s edition of the global street dance battle. Last year’s winner, Yarona Tumelo, celebrated her historic victory as a landmark moment for the country. Tumelo said her weeklong experience at the world competition in India was extraordinary and a chance for Botswana to be recognised for its creative talent.
“It was an opportunity for the world to know that Botswana has so much talent in the creative and has a lot to offer in the dance space,” Tumelo said, adding, ‘we are not just a small country’.
Since returning, she said she had been travelling to South Africa for competitions and judging events, networking with industry professionals who were now willing to come to Botswana to provide guidance and workshops.
She emphasised that platforms like Red Bull Dance Your Style gave local street dancers a chance to push past their borders and build the country’s dance industry. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Ketshepile More
Location : Gaborone
Event : Interview
Date : 18 Aug 2025
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