Talented young ballerinas known as the ‘Baby Swans’ have earned an opportunity to perform with the pros in The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe in Switzerland.

Johannesburg, South Africa (27 May 2025) — A group of little ballerinas affectionately known as the ‘Baby Swans’ from the Mzansi Ballet Vocational School are getting excited for a big opportunity as they prepare to perform in Switzerland alongside the pros.

The Mzansi Ballet Senior Company is set to put on a performance of The Gold Rhino of Mapungubwe in Lugano, Switzerland from 30 June to 6 July. This performance will be a highlight in the Rhythm of Two Souths Music and Dance Festival.

The Baby Swans (dancers aged between 8 and 13) have the chance to perform with the senior dancers in what could be an incredible opportunity for their budding dancing careers; both for the exposure and the experience.

To raise the necessary funds for the trip across the pond, the ‘Baby Swans’ squad and their support systems are betting on their dreams by hosting a fundraiser in the form of an evening of music and dance. The evening will be hosted at the Pieter Toerien Theatre, Monte Casino for all Joburgers craving a cultural evening.

Dubbed ’Fusion of Favourites’, the event will feature the world premiere of renowned choreographer Vincent Mantsoe’s ‘Song of Khudugo/Exodus’ alongside performances from the Mzansi Ballet dancers. Food and drinks are included in the ticket!

The proceeds are entirely dedicated to the Baby Swans getting to Switzerland, and those interested in attending can email mzansiballet@gmail.com.

Says proud Baby Swans parent, Charlene Izzet:

“These girls dedicate much of their time and energy to perfecting their craft and performances, and any support at the fundraising event would be incredibly appreciated. It’s a fantastic chance to witness their passion and dedication up close.”

Sources: Email Submission 

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Whoever said you can’t follow more than one dream at the same time hasn’t met Gabriel Ravenscroft. Gabriel is a professional ballet dancer with quite the knack for mathematics. Recently, the dancer graduated with a B.Sc in Pure Mathematics & Computer Sciences!

Cape Town, South Africa (23 April 2025) — There are a few things that dance and mathematics have in common, and among them is Gabriel Ravenscroft—a professional ballet dancer who recently walked the stage to claim his B.Sc Degree at the University of Cape Town.

The degree wasn’t just shorthand for years of hard and demanding work. It was also proof that you can follow more than one dream at the same time—even if those dreams are typically considered worlds apart.

Gabriel is a professional dancer with Cape Ballet Africa, who were among the first to highlight that the he had earned his degree “while carrying out all his responsibilities as a professional ballet dancer” (read: a demanding profession in which commitment, putting in the hours and consistency are everything—not unlike mathematics and computer sciences). Before dancing with Cape Ballet Africa, Gabriel worked professionally as part of the Cape Town City Ballet dancers.

 

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This Autumn, he walked the stage as part of the cohort of UCT graduates where his mom, Dr Julia Cain of The Centre for Film and Media Studies, capped him in what we imagine was a big moment for both of them. Not to mention, Mr Ravenscroft passed with distinction.

The ballet dancer’s achievement is a healthy dose of inspiration for anyone who has dreams or goals that express different parts of themselves and their talents.

Why be confined to just one field when you’ve got magic in another?

Sources: Cape Ballet Africa; GTG 

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The post Maths Whizz and Ballet Dancer Call the Same Body Home  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

From Johannesburg to London and New York! Ballerina Zeinab has paved her path to a bright future in ballet, earning both a bursary to an international competition and a full scholarship to the the American Ballet Theatre.

Johannesburg, South Africa (30 June 2024) — It’s very easy to get caught up in the whimsical elegance dancers like Ballerina Zeinab Kone exude.

We, the public, are almost never privy to the gritty work that goes on behind the scenes; work that’s poured into not only making the dances as seamlessly graceful as they always are but also the work that’s put into getting those dancing opportunities in the first place.

So, when shining opportunities do come a ballerina’s way, those of us rooting from the audience can only imagine how much mental and physical discipline went into getting that seat at the table.

Zeinab stands tall at the cusp of two dream opportunities. The first comes by way of her performance during her Royal Academy of Dance Advanced 2 exam. This earned her a high distinction, and as such, a bursary to compete in the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition in London come September.

The second, is that after London, Zeinab will be heading to the Big Apple for her final year of training at the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School as her school, St Mary’s Waverley, proudly share.

The blossoming ballerina has been offered a full scholarship for her New York adventure and the beginning of a beautifully bright future ahead.

This after her competition as a soloist in the 2024 Youth America Grand Prix earlier this year, which Zeinab dubbed as the occassion that “literally changed [her] life”.

Needless to say, Zeinab is a ballerina to watch. From Johannesburg to London and New York, we can’t wait to see where else her hard work and breathtaking talent will take her.

Sources: Zeinab Kone; St Marys School Waverley 

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Two South African ballerinas, Rahl Burke and Noelia Schulz made stunning podium placements at the most prestigious ballet competition on the continent and both made impressions on one of the best ballet schools in the world!

Global (04 August, 2023) — Two ballerinas from a South African dance studio, Orlovska Dance Academy in Johannesburg, recently made stunning podium placements at the most prestigious international Ballet Competition on the continent—the South African International Ballet Competition.

In the world of ballet, this event means serious business. In fact, you have to audition just to be part of the competition.

Here,  budding ballerinas Rahl Burke (bronze) and Noelia Schulz (silver) competed against students from top-ranking dance institutions around the world and faced a panel of revered judges, including artistic directors of National Ballets.

But the fierce competition saw two diamonds shine under the pressure with efforts so stunning, one of the dancers was awarded a scholarship to one of the best Ballet Schools in the world—the Berlin State Ballet School.

Good Things Guy caught up with the School’s Owner to find out more about the discipline, the dancers and their next chapter.

A Panel of Seasoned International Judges

To understand the pressure and prestige of the event, Alisia filled us on the judging panel.

“Adjudicators are always of the highest calibre.

“This year adjudicators were Ted Brandsen, Director of The Dutch National Ballet; Madame Feng, Director of the Beijing Ballet; Hyo Jung Jun, Director of Incheon Ballet in South Korea and a  former gold medalist at the inaugural SAIBC in 2008; Carol Kinsey, former principal ballerina with CAPAB Ballet and Cape Town City Ballet; Christoph Boehm from the Berlin State Ballet School and Javier Monier Jr from Cuba who is currently a member of Mzansi Ballet in Johannesburg.”

Both Budding Ballerinas made Big Impressions

While bronze placer Rahl Burke (16) was offered an official scholarship at the Berlin State Ballet School by one of the judges Christoph Boehm, silver shiner Noelia Schulz (11) also made a big impression and was personally invited by Christoph to join the Berlin State Ballet School.

Alisa has taught Noelia since she was 3 years old, while Rahl joined her school two years ago.

Of her ballerinas’ opportunities, she shares:

“Studying at one of the best Dance Institutions in the world, such as Berlin State Ballet School would offer Rahl and Noelia and abundance of opportunities, primarily a real chance to join one of the best companies in the world, such as Berlin Ballet Company – StaatsBallett Berlin, or Royal Ballet in UK.

The teachers at the Berlin State Ballet School are [some] of the best teachers in the world, which would give Rahl and Noelia an opportunity to attain international training.”

What Ballet Inspires in the Youth

“In our Academy we cater for both recreational and vocational students. I realize that not every child would want to turn dance into their career. However, ballet can still provide so many benefits to kids, whether they want to dance professionally or recreationally,” says Alisa.

“All our students have amazing discipline and concentration. I was told by numerous parents from our dance academy that  their child’s academics have improved so much since they started their dance classes and they are generally more motivated and inspired to study at school.

“In addition, body awareness, muscle strength and flexibility, coordination and balance has helped a lot of our students to improve in their school sports and in their general physical health.”

Alisa adds:

“It is known that ballet can assist with a lot of other athletic sports. For instance, here is the list of some NFL players who do ballet classes and find dancing to be helpful in their performance: Steve McLendon, Kyler Gordon, Lynn Swann, Alex Collins. Lastly, we have noticed that our students’ creative thinking at school has improved a lot. They really think out of the box and find creative solutions to various problems whilst doing their academics.”

Sources: GTG Interview

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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