By Fifi Rhodes
WINDHOEK-Who would have thought that ballroom dancing is a sport? Call it what you may but surely Ballroom and Latin American dancing may be the new lifestyle and craze catching up on the usually seemingly sleepy Namibians.
Ballroom and Latin American dancing was recognised a sport code by the International Olympic Committee in 1997 but Namibia despite the bug that seems to be biting many a Namibian socialites and lifestyles followers, has sadly not introduced, nor popularized this code in the country. In neighbouring South Africa, however, this gracious dancing has, since this announcement, sky-rocketed into the largest single participatory Sport Code of that country.
But Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Juliet Kavetuna, says, admirably, people from all levels and backgrounds of the South African population are currently eagerly participating in this sport in overwhelming numbers, to compete for awards at the Olympics.
“As such, this Sport Code has become a major uniting factor among the people of South Africa, who were, like in Namibia, kept in the past, in different worlds, let alone having physical contact, as is inevitable in this Code.” She is of the opinion that Namibia, has a perfect example of the feasibility and popularity of this particular sport, right on its doorstep. “From the South African example it is clear that large numbers of people, including young boys and girls from formerly disadvantaged communities, are passionately grasping the opportunity to partake in this international Sport Code, and are competing at the Olympics for Gold, Silver or Bronze,” she adds.
Kavetuna goes on that reasons for the popularity of the Code go far beyond a simplistic assessment. Participation in this particular Sport Code, unbridles hidden raw talent, which could have gone lost, irrespective of our backgrounds. “Needless to say, it will keep young people positively busy and off the streets, and in so doing, reduce crime and the misuse of alcohol and drugs. Watching the few performances by dancers of South Africa and Namibia, Kavetuna adds that most importantly, “it sensitises men and young boys to handle a woman’s body with grace and respect and to handle it with care. On the other hand, whereas it assists women to overcome the long-term psychological effects of Gender Based Violence and abuse, ballroom dancing gives women back their self-confidence; self-respect; pride; self-esteem and human dignity”.
Kavetuna adds that the dance further provides a window of opportunity for many aspiring young people to enjoy international exposure, and to move outside the small world of their current surroundings. She congratulates Women Action for Development (WAD) for having taken the giant step to formalising the recognition of Ballroom and Latin American Dancing as a new Sport Code in Namibia, by registering the Code with the Namibia Sport Commission (NSC) last year.
Further WAD intends to develop a new Ballroom Dance Sport Code in all schools in Namibia, as well as to encourage non-academic institutions to embrace this beautiful sport as well, through forming clubs and dance studios, affiliated to a newly established Federation of Dance Sport Namibia.