Videos: Loeriesfontein Dancers – Real Energy, Rieldansers!

Turn up the videos below and watch the Loeriesfontein dancers having a blast at the recent ‘Rieldans’ competition in Clanwilliam in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Rieldans is one of South Africa’s oldest dancing styles and can be traced back to the Khoi San of the Cape.

It’s danced at a highly energetic pace with fast fancy footwork kicking dust in the air.

Rieldans is often performed in a circle. The dance is about wooing and lovemaking…and apparently takes some of its moves from ostrich courtship rituals!

The videos were filmed exclusively for SAPeople by Kay September who feels passionately about Loeriesfontein, in the Northern Cape.

“I love the place,” she says. “It’s where my roots are. I grew up there. I like the people, the place itself, the atmosphere and the ‘energy’ of the town. The people are friendly and we have our own expressions that may be strange to the ears of a visitor…

“I love the scenery and driving into the veld to experience my surroundings. I feel lighter when I am there and it feels like home. It is as if everything else becomes non-existent the minute I drive into town. I feel different and I become different; I am more open, happy and spontaneous. I feel alive. I just love being there.”

Kay went to school in Loeriesfontein until Grade 6 (then Standard 4), but completed her education in Bellville. The family still has a property in the town – a self-catering guesthouse called Die Kokerboom Selforg – which Kay’s mother started in 2008 at the age of 69.

“If there are no guests then we obviously use the house,” says Kay. “I visit regularly and have intentions to, at retirement age, take up permanent residence there.”

Kay is an attorney by profession, and has a 3rd Dan Karateka in the Okinawan Shorin Ryu Seibukan Style (“a first in both instances in respect of our community”). She however does not practise, preferring to work for the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. “I recently finished a reiki course and need to do my exams for my shiatsu course (also a first for the town I think),” she adds.

It was Kay’s sister, Moira Bladergroen, who started the ‘Rieldans’ group in Loeriesfontein.

“Because there is such a lack of extra-curricular activities for youngsters, the dance group was my sister’s attempt to focus their energies on positive activities (away from alcoholism, drugs etc.),” says Kay.

What started as one dance group has now grown into four groups, and – just as Moira (who has a doctorate in Science and Maths) intended – the groups have been able to take over the leadership roles themselves so that she is no longer actively involved.

The latest competition, filmed below, was held on Saturday 25 October 2014 to determine which dance groups will take part in the Finals in December at the ‘Taalmonument’ in Paarl.

Loeriesfontein had three groups participating – an under-12 group, under-18 and Senior group. It was the under-12’s first foray into competitive dancing and they were placed third. The Seniors achieved fourth place and have qualified for the Finals.

Other Titbits about Loeriesfontein:

• It has a windpump museum.
• The artist, Conrad Theys, was born in Loeriesfontein.
• The first quadruplets were born in Loeriesfontein.
• A local resident – who is now a teacher – went back to Standard Six (Grade 8) at the age of 21 to complete his school education and funded himself to qualify as a teacher (because his family was poor and could not pay for his studies).
• Minki van Westhuizen was in town for a Pasella insert on the town.
• In Spring, the town has beautiful flowers.

Watch Video – Loeriesfontein Kliptrappers

Watch Video – Loeriesfontein in Dance Competition, Clanwilliam, South Africa

Bonus Photos of the Loeriefontein Dancers

All Photos kindly supplied by Kay September.