The athletics track has been shifted aside for a while and the dance floor is home for a few months.
Odessa Swarts, mother of Wayde van Niekerk, was given a call by the production team of Dancing with the Stars in October to be one of the 12 untrained local celebrities forming part of this year’s South African season.
Each celebrity is paired up with a professional to showcase his or her talent. Swarts has been paired up with Dylon Daniels, an experienced dance instructor.
Although used to long training hours, she mentioned that they practice five to six hours a day and that it is a lot of hard work. “The routines are not always easy and each week a new dance needs to be mastered,” Swarts said.
Dancing is completely out of her comfort zone but she has always wanted to learn how to Salsa and Tango. “It is hard work but I am thoroughly enjoying it. Each dance has different rules. The first two days of a new week is very frustrating because you are introduced to something new, but on the third day everything starts coming together, you start enjoying it and it just feels amazing,” she explained.
Swarts is joined by fellow South African celebrities like former Miss South Africa, Liesl Laurie, veteran South African actor, Frank Opperman, and TV presenter, actress and DJ, Thembisa Mdoda.
The first episode has already been broadcasted on 4 February, but be sure to tune in to M-Net, Channel 101, every Sunday at 17:00 to watch these celebrities move.
JERETHA OOSTHUIZEN
jeretha@mahareng.co.za
