On Sunday, November 26th, not only was uShaka Marine World filled with the sounds of cheers and shouts of encouragement, but loads of foot stomping and clapping of hands – and that was just the visitors to the park who came out to support their favourite dance troupe as the 28 dance troupes all vied for the 2017 uShaka Marine World Zulu Dance Championship category titles!
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! – Vuyiswa King (uShaka Marine World), Martha Zuma (Department of Arts & Culture), Sakhile Shezi (Indlamu Category – Kangaroo), Senzo Vilakazi (uMzansi Category – Umlazi African Jingle), Thuthuka Mchunu (Ingoma Category – AmaJuba Adlukhethe), Thumelani Majola (Shameni Category – AmaJuba eNhlanhla), Selby Baqwa (Department of Arts & Culture)
There were four titles up for grabs which made it a very difficult decision for the judges from the Department of Arts & Culture and the entertainment staff from uShaka Marine World, however, after much deliberation a unanimous decision was made!
Celebrating their respective wins and walking away with the trophies and a R5 000 cheque each, as well as a contract to work at uShaka Marine World until November 2018, were the Umlazi African Jingle Dance Troupe who won in the uMzansi dance category; the Kangaroo Dance Troupe winning in the Indlamu category; the AmaJuba Adlukhethe Dance Troupe winning the Ingoma category and lastly, walking away with the title in the Shameni category were the AmaJuba eNhlanhla Dance Troupe.
“With us seeing more troupes auditioning from around our Province, the competition not only grows and gets more competitive, but as judges we are having a more difficult decision to choose the best of the best to entertain the visitors to our park. We believe that the dance troupes we have selected are a great fit for the entertainment offering we provide here at uShaka Marine World,” said Vuyiswa King, the Events and Entertainment Manager at uShaka Marine World.