15 Oct 2025

Botswana’s arts scene continues to make strides across borders as Moonlight Dance Studio, a local ballroom dance group, prepares to compete in the South African Achiever and National Championships 2025 in Durban.

After seven years of competing locally, winning national championships but unable to fund trips abroad, the talented dancers will finally waltz out of the country to take part in the prestigious contest from December 12 to 13, where they would go up against other African nations.

“This is one of the biggest dance competitions and the final of the year and we are very excited to participate,” said Thato Kgwedi, founder and head coach of Moonlight Dance Studio. 

Kgwedi said after South Africa, winners in different categories would then move on to compete for a world championship at a host country yet to be announced.

He added that as part of their training, the group of 35 dancers, ranging in age from four to 28 years, often performed at local shows and family functions for exposure. He added that the team would soon go for a boot camp to boost their confidence and refine their routines.

“As a coach, I’m confident that we will win this. I’m betting on my group to dazzle the judges this December,” he said with confidence.

Kgwedi, who won the Best Youth in Creative Arts award at the Botswana Youth Awards 2022, said since the studio’s inception in 2018, the team had experienced steady and beautiful growth. He expressed hope that sponsors would come on board to help elevate the art of ballroom dancing in Botswana.

“Ballroom isn’t just dance, it combines health, fitness and fun in a unique way,” he added. ENDS