“The VUT Dancesport Team reclaimed its former glory at the 2025 USSA Championships, winning the Formation and American Showdance titles.”
08 July 2025 | Story By: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Supplied
3 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Dancesport Team has reclaimed its former glory at the 2025 University Sport South Africa (USSA) Championships, held at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) from 28 June to 3 July 2025. Competing against 13 institutions, including UKZN, North-West University Mahikeng Campus (NWU), the University of the Western Cape (UWC), and the University of the Free State (UFS), the team clinched two coveted national titles: the Formation Title, won on the same date as their historic 2015 victory, and the American Showdance Title, which they successfully defended.
Mr Stephen Monisi, coach of the VUT Dance Team, acknowledged that the path to victory was anything but easy. “Most of our students live far from campus, in areas such as Kempton Park, Midrand, and Johannesburg, so we had to fundraise just to make rehearsals possible,” he shared.
Training sessions took place after hours in a cold basement, where dancers balanced their passion for performance with academic commitments. “Academics come first, and we ensured no one had to write second opportunity exams,” Monisi said firmly.
Reflecting on their journey, Monisi revealed that their semi-final performance left much to be desired. “I was fuming. But the team knew we had to step up. We’ve come second in the formation category for the past three years. It was time to change that.”
The team’s final routine drew inspiration from their 15-title legacy, blending elements from previous choreographies with fresh interpretation. “We returned to our roots while looking ahead,” Monisi explained. Their American Showdance performance told a poignant story of love and reunion, while a Broadway-inspired piece paying tribute to Michael Jackson earned them third place in a separate category.
Their success was made possible by the unwavering support of the VUT Sports Department, Sports Officer Mr Tebogo Mapheto, Head of Department Mr Thabo
Maboeleng, and loyal supporter Ausi Moipone Molefe. “They made sure we looked the part in brand-new outfits,” Monisi said. “When the results were announced, I raised my hands and said, ‘It’s going back home where it belongs.’”
“This victory shows the beat is alive at VUT,” Monisi declared. “We are champions and we belong to an institution where champions are made.”
More than just a team, Monisi described the group as a family. He celebrated remarkable student breakthroughs, including that of Thabiso Gcado, a hip-hop dancer who ventured into Ballroom and Latin dancing, ultimately placing third at nationals alongside Sophie Molepo.
Monisi extended an invitation to aspiring dancers: “If you have passion and discipline, come and dance with us. It may be difficult at first, but with time, anything is possible.”
Congratulations to the VUT Dancesport Team, thank you for flying the VUT flag high and proving once again that excellence and resilience move in rhythm.