BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBABANE – They may not have returned with medals, but Talent ‘N’ Motion Academy has come back from the 2026 Dance World Cup in Dublin, Ireland, carrying something equally valuable – world-class experience, renewed confidence and a burning determination to place Eswatini on the international dance podium.
The academy’s latest appearance at one of the world’s biggest dance competitions has sparked fresh excitement within Eswatini’s performing arts community, with founder and director Velile Dube declaring that the journey has transformed the team’s ambitions from simply participating to competing for medals.
After witnessing the standard of global competition firsthand, Dube believes the academy is now better equipped than ever to challenge the world’s best dancers.
“This experience has changed everything for us. We now understand exactly what is required at this level, and our focus is no longer just on attending. Our goal is to win medals,” she said.
The trip marked another milestone for the academy. While the organisation first experienced the Dance World Cup in 2024 when dancer Ndoniyamanzi represented the academy alongside Dube, this year’s event was historic because Talent ‘N’ Motion travelled with a full squad of 10 dancers.
Performing before international judges and audiences gave the young Emaswati dancers an unforgettable opportunity to showcase their talent while gaining exposure to different dance styles from around the world.
Dube admitted that competing internationally also highlighted important lessons that will shape the academy’s future preparations.
One of the biggest discoveries involved competition categories. Some routines entered under the street dance division would have scored better in the commercial dance category, where they more closely matched international judging expectations.
The academy also realised how age classifications can significantly influence competition outcomes. Because one group included a 14-year-old performer, the entire team competed in that age category, forcing dancers as young as nine and 10 years old to compete against much older and more experienced performers.
“Those are lessons that you simply cannot learn from home. You only understand them once you have experienced the competition yourself. Next time, we will make better strategic decisions when entering our dancers,” Dube explained.
Despite the challenges, the coach said one moment will remain unforgettable – watching Eswatini’s young dancers walk confidently onto one of the world’s biggest dance stages without fear.
“They were not intimidated at all. They believed in themselves, performed with confidence and represented Eswatini with pride. That made me incredibly proud,” she said.
Behind the scenes, Dube wore many hats throughout the demanding journey. She coordinated fundraising campaigns, organised travel logistics, managed choreography and costumes, coached the dancers and simultaneously fulfilled her role as a mother, with her own daughter among the competitors.
She praised parents for their unwavering support, saying their commitment made the international trip possible.
With the Ireland experience now behind them, preparations for the next Dance World Cup have already begun.
Through the academy’s Dance Ignition programme, run in partnership with South Africa’s National School of the Arts, dancers are already refining routines that will eventually be showcased on the world stage.
Dube believes the additional months of preparation, combined with the valuable lessons learned in Dublin, will significantly improve the academy’s chances of standing on the winners’ podium.
“We performed well this year, but we know we can do even better. Next year we’re coming back stronger, smarter and ready to fight for medals,” she said.
As Eswatini’s Dance World Cup country organiser, Dube also challenged aspiring dancers across the Kingdom not to underestimate their potential.
She encouraged young performers to dream beyond local stages, reminding them that international success begins with discipline, faith and consistent hard work.
“I know it can seem impossible, but if you trust God, stay committed and keep working, your dreams can become reality,” she said.
