Talent ’n’ Motion Academy has announced the addition of four more dancers to the line-up representing Eswatini at the upcoming Dance World Cup (DWC).
Director Velile Dube confirmed that after discussions with the DWC South Africa organising team, two soloists and two groups had been granted qualification despite narrowly missing the standard score threshold.
Dube explained, “After conversations with the organising team, we agreed that dancers who scored 70 and above are guaranteed a spot, but those close to that mark deserve a chance too.”
The two soloists added are Wenziwe Mtshali and Amone Landman, while the two groups joining the finals are Married Life and Confidence.
Highlighting Amone Landman’s journey, Dube shared, “Amone is only five years old and suffered stage fright, which affected her performance. She danced in the corner but still managed to score 68 points. If she had performed fully, she would have scored even higher, so she truly deserves this opportunity.”
Similarly, Wenziwe Mtshali’s score of 67 points was affected by minor errors but still showed great promise.
As for the group Confidence, their challenge was a costume that did not align with the dance theme, but their skill and stage quality impressed the judges enough to earn them a spot. “These were the things we had to plead our case on, and we believe they deserve a chance on the world stage,” said Dube.
The four new qualifiers will join six other dancers who achieved 70 points or higher during the DWC South Africa 2026 qualifiers: Nkosinemusa Gumedze, Mayipheleliswe Nkambule, Elihle Masinga, Mukelwe Kunene, Kitso Makgeledisa, and Siphosethu Mlotsa.
“Together, these ten performers will proudly represent Eswatini under the banner of Talent ’n’ Motion Academy,” said Dube.
Expressing pride in her team, Dube added, “From the studio to the global spotlight, we are absolutely bursting with pride for our incredible dancers who have made it all the way to the Dance World Cup finals. Your passion, resilience, and countless hours of hard work have paid off spectacularly.”
She also extended heartfelt thanks to the academy’s supporters: “We want to thank our amazing partners — Kwakitsi Foundation, ICON PB, The Flight Connector, and the parents at Talent ’n’ Motion Academy. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in making this journey possible.”
The Dance World Cup finals will be held in Dublin, Ireland, in July 2026.
