Mbabane – Eswatini will be represented at the Dance World Cup 2026 Finals in Dublin, Ireland, in just days, as dancers from Talent ‘n’ Motion Academy prepare to take on the world’s best on the international stage.
The academy, founded and led by dance teacher Velile Dube, qualified for the finals and has been in intense preparation. Dube has since confirmed to Swazi24 that the team’s visas have been approved, clearing the final hurdle on the road to Dublin.
Speaking to Swazi24 in a voice note earlier this week, before the approval came through, Dube said the wait for the visas had made it risky to pay for accommodation and flight tickets, but the mood in the studio remained upbeat throughout. 
“At the moment we are a bit on edge because we’re waiting for our visas, but we are hoping for the best,” she said at the time.
With the visas now secured, nothing stands between the dancers and the world stage.
Dube said the young dancers were shielded from the stress and remained focused entirely on their craft.
“There’s more excitement than there is anxiety from the kids because obviously the adults shoulder the responsibility of getting them there. They are so excited. They are rehearsing like crazy. They’re giving it their all,” she said.
“Whatever the outcome at the Dance World Cup, I know for sure that they would have given it their all.”
Backing from the Sports Council
The Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council has also thrown its weight behind the academy’s Dublin campaign, paying for Dube’s air ticket and formally supporting the team’s participation.
“They are supporting us. Actually they did with a note verbale,” Dube confirmed.
A princess in their corner
Dube paid glowing tribute to Her Royal Highness Princess Temtsimba Dlamini, whom she credits with growing the academy into what it is today.
“I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to her. There’s so much that she’s done for myself and the ballerinas in growing the brand to being what it is today. She trusted in it before anybody else could,” Dube said.
She recalled that the Princess first stepped in during a workshop held at the height of COVID.
“That’s where she just pulled through for me. I thought it was maybe just a once off thing, but from there she was just like, listen, I’m here. I want to see this grow. I want to see talent and the art industry grow in Eswatini. And she’s just been consistent in that,” she said.
“Most of the programs that we’ve done at Talent ‘n’ Motion Academy, she’s just been on board with such unwavering support and just love towards the art form, towards the kids, towards myself. She’s been great. May God just keep her and enlarge her territory.”
From four kids to the world stage
Dube started teaching dance with only four children. Ten years later, her academy has produced medal winners on international stages.
“Did I know that 10 years down the line we would be here? No. But obviously when you’re driven and you’re just passionate about something, you keep pushing and you keep breaking boundaries,” she said.
“I’ve always been like that since I was a kid. I’ve never wanted to do things small. I’ve always believed in bigger and better. I think it’s just some of the things that my parents put in me, that you’re capable of doing anything.”
The academy’s trophy cabinet tells the story. Ndoniyamanzi Lukhele won gold at the South African International Ballet Competition, before the academy attended the Dance World Cup in the Czech Republic for the first time and returned home with silver.
“It’s been a dream come true. It’s actually been so surreal, to be quite honest,” Dube said.
Lessons from the Czech Republic
Dube said the biggest lesson she carries from the Czech Republic campaign is the work ethic shown by Ndoniyamanzi, which she now instils in the current team heading to Dublin.
“Since I started teaching her when she was four years old, she’s never walked into class and had a bad day. She’s always given it her all,” she said.
“I’m not comparing you guys to her, but I definitely want you guys to learn from her. Never did I walk out of a rehearsal feeling like, oh my God, what am I doing? I walked out of rehearsals feeling like something is going to happen when we get to the Czech Republic, because she just always gave it her all.”
She said the current dancers have taken the message to heart.
“They’re really giving it their best. This is fairly new, and obviously it’s highly competitive. When you start going to the Dance World Cup, it becomes something else,” she said.
On preparations, Dube said she is awaiting the final music production from renowned producer Umuti Ngwenya before the competition’s app closes for uploads on Friday.
“I trust Umuti. I’ve worked with him before, and he’s always produced quality music. So I do trust that even on this international stage, he’s going to come through,” she said.
A nation rallies behind Kitso
The road to Dublin has also produced a remarkable show of community spirit. On July 1, Dube made a public appeal on social media for support for her daughter Kitso, who qualified for the finals as the highest scoring dancer.
“Many of you know me as a dance teacher, but today, I am reaching out simply as a proud and hopeful mother. My daughter, Kitso, has officially qualified for the prestigious Dance World Cup Finals in Ireland and she enters the competition as the highest-scoring dancer,” she wrote.
The Kwakitsi Foundation, under Her Royal Highness Princess Temtsimba Dlamini, stepped in to cover Kitso’s accommodation expenses, while Mandla Cheeks Mnguni Nxumalo of Instacash donated E2,000 and a family member contributed another E2,000. That left the family pushing to raise the remaining E11,000 of a E15,000 total goal to cover final costume top ups, daily local transport in Ireland, meals during the tournament week, and masterclasses with elite international teachers.
Within 24 hours, the target was met in full. On July 2, Dube announced the news in a jubilant post.
“They say it takes a village and our village is unmatched! We entered yesterday with a target and we wake up today 100% FUNDED,” she wrote.
She revealed that Dr Florence Anabwani-Richter, a long-time supporter of the academy, closed the final gap by sending the full remaining balance.
“I am in complete disbelief at the power of this community. Thank you Dr. Florence and thank you to every single beautiful soul who planted a seed yesterday. Whether you shared, prayed or donated, your love has paved the way for our high-scorer to take on the world stage. We are taking the flag to Ireland with the full force of a loving nation backing us. GOD DID,” she wrote.
More than a competition
For Dube, the Dance World Cup is about far more than medals. It is about what the next generation of emaSwati dancers can dream of.
“The Dance World Cup is just one of those things that I would like our country to see as an opportunity to let the world see what Eswatini has to offer, and also just for the next generation. We’re trying to make sure that the next generation has something to look forward to, to work towards,” she said.
“The next generation will feel like the Dance World Cup is possible. They can get there. They can get silver, they can get gold, like what I think these current dancers are going to do when we do go.”
