According to a VNA reporter in South Africa, on May 16, downtown Johannesburg lit up with vibrant group dances and exciting impromptu performances.
From professional dancers to enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds, everyone came together to join the "Mjaivo Jaiva" festival - a unique event that turned the streets into giant dance floors to celebrate International Dance Day 2025.
Although International Dance Day is officially celebrated on April 29, South Africa has cleverly moved the celebration to a more suitable date, avoiding the conflict with Independence Day. This adjustment is intended to maximize community participation, enhance engagement and spread urban energy.
The "Mjaivo Jaiva" festival is a passionate event organized by the Johannesburg Inner City Partnership (JICP) in collaboration with Moving into Dance (MID) Dance Academy and many other partners.
According to the organizers, thousands of people have registered to participate in the 1.5km long march and mass dance, starting from the Johannesburg Magistrates Court and ending at Gandhi Square. In particular, people on both sides of the road are also enthusiastically invited to join in, turning the sidewalk into a lively stage of joy, rhythm and collective creativity.
Under the dedicated guidance of professional dancers, everyone performed a unified dance, celebrating rhythm as a common language, blending contemporary movements with strong African influences and liberal street style - a combination that both expresses identity and promotes integration.
David van Niekerk, CEO of JICP, emphasised the importance of such collaborations in creating positive change for the city from within. “This is more than just a dance event, it is a living testament to the magic that can happen when culture, creative expression and community power come together. This is Jozi (Johannesburg’s nickname - PV) showing its unique beauty to the world ,” he said.
Of the festival’s signature dance, he added: “This is a dance for everyone. Whether you are familiar with the steps or simply want to let yourself go with the music, we welcome you to join in – feel the rhythm, join in the excitement or simply immerse yourself in the spirit of ‘Mjaivo Jaiva’.”
Sharing with VNA reporters in South Africa, Mr. Lindokuhle, a member of the Organizing Committee from the Johannesburg Inner City Partnership (JICP) excitedly said: “I cannot estimate the exact number of participants, but our program alone has had more than 1,000 registrants. What is special about this event is the joint efforts of many different programs and organizations, from non-profit organizations to government agencies, all working together to make 'Mjaivo Jaiva' a reality.”
He expressed his joy at seeing people dancing together under the guidance and support of professional dancers from prestigious Johannesburg academies, creating an impressive street performance.
Meanwhile, Mr. Teboho Gilbert Letele, a member of the Organizing Committee, from Moving into Dance Academy shared: “At today's event, we want to turn the street into a walking space, a network connecting people, where everyone can comfortably walk on the street without fear. We taught everyone this choreography for 2 weeks. And today, everyone had an extremely interesting street dance event.”
The organizers said Mjaivo Jaiva will be the city's signature annual celebration aimed at developing cultural life, building pride of place and possibly even breaking the record for the largest number of dancers participating on an inner-city pedestrian street./.
Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/thanh-pho-johannesburg-cua-nam-phi-bung-sang-trong-vu-dieu-duong-pho-soi-dong-post1039041.vnp
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