Oluthando Keteyi|Published
South African dancer, choreographer, actor and cultural ambassador Limpopo Boy has represented the country at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final in Zurich, Switzerland.
The dancer, whose real name is Matome Robert Thoka, competed in the Top 16, where dancers from around the world showcased their skills in one-on-one freestyle battles, with the audience deciding who would claim the coveted title.
However, Limpopo Boy’s journey came to an end in the opening round of the Top 16 after he was defeated by 16-year-old French hip-hop dancer Willis.
Willis went on to emerge victorious after a series of electrifying mixed-style battles, winning the showdown to be crowned the world champion.
Limpopo Boy reflects on international experience
Limpopo Boy was selected to represent South Africa at the international competition, marking a significant moment for the dancer and his signature Survivor dance style.
Taking to Instagram after the competition, he described the experience as the biggest moment of his life.
“To be honest, this was a good experience and the biggest moment of my life 🕺. Big shoutout to @redbulldance @redbullza @redbullswitzerland until we meet again,” he wrote.
The story behind his Survivor dance style
In a video shared on Red Bull South Africa’s social media platforms, Thoka opened up about the meaning behind his Survivor dance style, which draws inspiration from his personal experiences and the challenges he has overcome.
“I fell in love with Survivor dance. Survivor means a lot of things. The dance is more like you are fighting through dance and celebrating at the same time. You have been through a lot of things, and you survived them,” he explained.
“I survived poverty at home, so I think that helps me to put more spice and helps me look more unique.”
Taking South African dance to the world
For Thoka, dance is more than entertainment; it is a way of telling his story while celebrating South African culture on the international stage.
“When I dance Survivor, I imagine a lot of things I survived back then. Through amapiano, we managed to show our local talent and dance and managed to take it international, and here we are ruling.
“The world is shouting our name, culture, and our music. We are very proud.”