Battle Rivalskool is an event where the world’s finest dancers are brought together to battle it out across various dance categories. This year’s edition was held from the 10th to the 12th of July at The Cirk in Johannesburg, South Africa. For the first time, male and female dancers competed according to gender.

Zimbabwe’s animator Wayne Ndebele was selected as part of the team. He also contributed as a graphic designer, assisting with the event’s marketing. In addition, Zimbabwean dancer Uncle Stunna brought home a silver medal for Team Zimbabwe in the Afro Dance Male category.

The event was hosted in partnership with international brands including Trace Southern Africa, Alliance Française de Bulawayo, and YFM.

Ndebele said, “I was selected to be the graphic designer prior to the event to assist with marketing. Uncle Stunna won #TeamZimbabwe, the silver medal in the Afro Dance Male category. I had the opportunity to score an interview with YFM about my role at Battle Rivalskool and my work as an animator.”

Battle Rivalskool this year truly proved to be a one-of-a-kind battle, it was neck and neck all the way. Ndebele also praised Totengu, one of the event’s organizers, for building such a unique platform in the dance sector.

“A big shoutout and thank you to Totengu, who has been doing great work building up Battle Rivalskool and making it bigger and better each year. Through him, dance is being put on the world map. Personally, it was my first time in South Africa. Meeting world-class dancers and judges including the Dube Twins, was an entirely new experience for me. I also met celebrity icons such as Hungani Ndlovu, who is a lover of all things dance,” he said.