By Selma Neshiko
WINDHOEK– Seven talented ballet dancers from the Team Namibia Dance Preforming groups are seeking sponsorship to represent Namibia at the 17thprestigious World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA).
The championship take place in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) in 13 to 19. WCOPA, also known as the Hollywood’s “Olympics” in the world of performing arts, is the first and only annual international competition to find the best aspiring performing artists worldwide. At the contest competitors of every age are judged in acting, singing, dancing, modeling, instrumentation and a variety of categories. Like the Olympics, the finest aspiring competitors from countries are qualified and invited. Every contestant attending WCOPA has been screened, qualified and selected under specific guidelines.
The seven dancers between 13 to 16 years are in need of N$ 556 544.01, which is N$ 433968.01 for air tickets, accommodation, Team Namibia uniforms, the competition entry fees and N$ 122,576.00 for accompanying parents. The dancers who will be representing Team Namibia are, Lerato Katjiouanga (15) from Delta Secondary School; Alexis Vermaak (13) from Windhoek Gymnasium; Jennah Oosthuizen (13)fromDie Deutsche Höhere Privatschule (DHPS ); Cassia Sharpley (13) from Eagles Christian School; Kayla Obbes (16) from Windhoek Gymnasium; Hannah Obbes (12) from St Georges Diocesan College and Kaylynn Oosthuizen.
“Attending the WCOPA would enhance my view of dancing, open so many opportunities and it will personally be a gateway for my career. Dancing is my life. Imagine dancing since I was eight, dancing has become a way of life for me, an expression and a feeling,” dreams 15-year old Lerato, when asked about the importance of attending WCOPA.Kaylynn agrees with fellow dancer, adding that dancing isn’t something that can be explained in words, it has to be danced. “When I dance, I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life, and I can only be joyful and whole,” she says.
The dancers will compete with participants from about 40 countries in the 17th edition of WCOPA. They will compete in head-to-head heats until finalists are found in each category. Each winner receives a gold medal, while there are also scholarships worth a total of US$130,000 up for grabs.
Team Namibia is scheduled to depart for Los Angeles, USA on July 7, returning to Windhoek on July 24. For more information on how to assist the Team Namibia Dance Preforming group, contact accompanying parents, Laura Obbes at 0812832193 or laura@iway.na or Moinka Oosthuizen at 0811242980 or monikaoosthuizen@hotmail.com