Company members (left to right) Talan Fisher, Moroni Wright, and Wyatt Jennings perform the paso doble in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The BYU Ballroom Dance Company recently completed an exhilarating tour across four African nations: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. With a total of 11 performances of their powerhouse show Rhythm, this tour was not only a display of incredible talent but also a beautiful celebration of cultural exchange and community outreach.
The company had a standout moment when they took the stage and delivered two mesmerizing performances at the renowned Playhouse Company Opera Theatre in Durban, South Africa. The dancers were honored to have Ms. Gugu Ngcobo, representing the Zulu royal household, in attendance. Ms. Ngcobo addressed the company, shared words of encouragement, and presented gifts on behalf of the Zulu queen.
Among the highlights of this tour was the company’s visit to the Bahurutshe Cultural Village in Botswana, where they enjoyed lunch with the US ambassador to Botswana, Howard A. Van Vranken. Later that day, they shared a cultural exchange and dinner with the Mafitlhakgosi Traditional Dance group and held a joint performance to a crowd of 1,500 people in Gaborone. This event was a powerful testament to the unifying nature of dance as they bridged cultures through art, all while celebrating both African heritage and the groups’ shared passion for performance.
A core mission of the BYU Ballroom Dance Company is to promote cultural exchange, and they excelled in this goal throughout their tour. They collaborated with iThemba Labantu and later with the Usiko Dance Group, participating in incredible experiences where dancers exchanged their favorite moves and styles and celebrated the beauty of diversity in dance.
In addition to sharing their love for dance, the company focused on serving the communities they visited. At Windybrow Arts Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, the dancers shared their own beloved children’s books and stories and left a positive impact on the local youth. This commitment to serving through the arts was a defining aspect of their tour, teaching them that purpose can be found in every step and gesture.
The company embraced their role as global citizens. Partnering with local missionaries from the Church, volunteers from Duma FM, and community members, they participated in a cleanup effort in Bokaa, a small village near Gaborone, Botswana. This initiative not only beautified the area but also strengthened community bonds and illustrated the power of collective action.
The dancers also engaged in service projects with No Poor Among Us, which focuses on empowering local communities and promoting self-sufficiency, and with Iris Global, where they performed and toured the orphanage facilities. At the end of their visit, the pastor of the facility shared a prayer with the team. “The prayer was beautiful,” says company member Jacee Peterson. “I have never felt God’s love for me stronger than within that combined prayer.”
Looking Ahead
The BYU Ballroom Dance Company is preparing to tour Northern California in the early months of 2025. In the spring, they will depart for an extended tour to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
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