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* If you know of a colleague who does something extraordinary or interesting in his or her life outside the university, please send the information to Willie du Plessis at willie.duplessis@nwu.ac.za.
Shhh, it’s a secret...
His dancing career started at the age of 10, when Gregory noticed that every Monday and Wednesday, his friends were nowhere to be found. After discovering they were catching a bus to go to dance classes, he decided to join them – without his mom’s knowledge.
“She thought I was visiting my cousin, and only found out about the dance lessons when she found a form from class in my pocket when doing the laundry. Fortunately for me, she was very happy with my dancing.”
Quick-quick slow, quick-quick slow
“I took classes until I was 16 and then danced on my own for the following two years. Now that I am competing in the South African Dance Federation’s Youth Rising Star and Championship Section, I have two amazing coaches from Stilfontein who check in on me every Saturday.
“I do my own choreography, but during these sessions we review my choreography, learn new steps, work on technique and discuss plans for the next competition.”
Gregory has mastered Latin American styles such as the cha-cha-cha, samba, rumba, jive and pasodoble, and classical ballroom styles such as the waltz, tango and quick step. Paying it forward, he now trains about 20 young dancers in Kanana, Orkney.
Never mind the money
Ballroom dancing can be expensive. “A male dancer has to shell out anything from R1 500 to R2 500 for his costume and between R700 and R1 800 for his shoes. Then you have to add a R300 registration fee for every competition, plus money for transport and accommodation.”
Wow. Then why does he do it?
“When I dance, it is only me, my partner and the dance floor. I let go of everything and during the two to five hours we practise, I feel completely myself.”
Stepping up and dreaming big
Gregory’s dream is to dance in the Blackpool Dance Festival in the United Kingdom and the World Dance Council Amateur League Open World Championships at Disneyland in Paris.
“As soon as I get my SA colours… ” he adds with a big smile.
And from our side, we conclude in TV programme lingo:
So we say you CAN dance.
