Is pansula still relevant?

Pansula is a steadfast dance that originated from the black townships of South Africa during the apartheid era. It remains a beacon of energy and resilience for youth to this day. When you think about the Tembisa Habashwe Revolution Pansula, it’s like reliving the moments of watching young pansulas in All Stars takkies do their thing. Their captivating pansula dance has not only whisked them away to Germany and France but also secured them victory on the E-TV dance show, Step Up and Step Out.

Established in 2003 by cousins Abel Vilakazi and Sandile Magagula, the group has faced its fair share of challenges. Nevertheless, their steadfast resilience, unwavering passion, and dedication to their craft have propelled them forward, and kept their passion for pansula burning bright to this very day.The group started from humble beginnings, they all have the same background. They all come from underprivileged backgrounds, they were all unemployed. While the group originated in Mqansa Section, its members come from different areas of Tembisa, like Kalambazo. The members include Bongani Shabangu, Thapelo Mabena, Wandile, Mzima, and the late Moses Moweng; they all dedicated themselves to dance. Most of the dance crew members have since grown older, their ages range from 30 to 40.

Abel Vilakazi, reflecting on his past, shared, “Growing up in the township was hard because, before I decided to form this group, I was involved in crime. I was doing drugs and was arrested. When I was released, I decided to change my life and focus more on my talent.” This pivotal decision led to the formation of the group, with the aim of providing an alternative to crime for young people in Tembisa. He said they were inspired by Kwaito pansula groups like Trompies, Vaya Tembisa, and Alaska. Reflecting on their journey, Abel said, “We followed in the footsteps of Vaya Tembisa, one of the dance groups we looked up to.

When they won the Shell Road to Fame competition in the ’90s, it solidified them as one of the best groups from Tembisa.”He said the group faced challenges, especially after the loss of Moses, who managed their client contacts and social media platforms. His passing meant the group had to start over, since they could not manage their social media and client communications. Despite these setbacks, Abel and the group persevered, with some members taking jobs to support their families while continuing to dance as a hobby.

The Abashwe Pansula dance group’s victory in the E-TV dance competition Step Up or Step Out marked a turning point. Abel remarked, “Winning made us take dancing as a career, and we started getting a lot of gigs. We flew to Germany, and everyone was happy. We started a development in the township.” With their success, the group continues to inspire others and showcase the talent that thrives in Tembisa.Beyond its roots as a dance form, pansula embodies a deep cultural significance. It’s easy to spot a pensula a mile off, mostly with the dress code: Dickies trousers, Converse All Star sneakers, and brimmed caps.