As the Jerusalema Dance Challenge sweeps the globe, Hout Bay has decided to get in on the action.
The Ingoma Choir teamed up with Hout Bay Media and the Amoyo Foundation to create the popular dance challenge video, bringing together different groups and locations, showcasing the diversity and talent Hout Bay has to offer.
Behind it all is Tanya Blacher, founder of the Ingoma Choir, who proposed the idea on chat groups with Hout Bay locals, gathered suggestions and charitable pledges for some teams to be involved.
“I love projects which showcase the vibrant communities of Hout Bay in all their diversity, and the Jerusalema Dance Challenge seemed like a great opportunity to do this,” she said.
Ms Blacher said they ended up with five shoots in five different locations, including Hangberg and Imizamo Yethu.
The Ingoma Choir performed the famous song by Master KG on Chapman’s Peak, as well as performing snippets of the dance.
The video was directed, shot and edited by Peter Michaels of Hout Bay Media, a multimedia production agency specialising in video and music promos.
Mr Michaels, born and bred in Hangberg, jumed at the opportunity to be part of the project.
“When Tanya first approached me about this, I immediately said yes because I thought this could be a great way to bring people together. More importantly, it shows others out there that we are unified and there is unity within this community,” he said.
Mandisa Qwesha of Amoyo Foundation, an NGO after-school dance programme, choreographed the performance.
Ms Qwesha said it was overwhelming to learn about the organisations working in and around Hout Bay and the video captured pure “unity”.
“I loved being part of this challenge, seeing the many faces and different people involved. It was very refreshing and I am really hoping it does well,” she said.
“I had loads of fun doing this and it benefited the kids a lot, as they have been wanting to get back into the swing of things. The kids were excited and they rehearsed quite hard,” Ms Qwesha said.
“It was just a really, really wonderful idea.”
Ms Blacher said she hoped the video would spread far and wide, displaying Hout Bay’s unity, especially after some turbulent times in the area.
“After such a miserable few months, especially for performers, it was a great opportunity to get together in small, safe groups outdoors and do something creative and fun! I absolutely loved working with Peter and Mandisa, talented and professional young people from Hout Bay who have so much to offer. I hope our video will be enjoyed and shared a lot, and even help to publicise Hout Bay in Europe and across the world.”
Hout Bay’s Jerusalema Dance Challenge video will soon be posted on social media platforms including Facebook and YouTube.
