About Us - Rumba in the Jungle

RUMBA IN THE JUNGLE THE RETURN

ABOUT THE FILM

Rumba in the Jungle is the biggest dance festival ever held in Africa,staged in Sun City Resort in the Bokone Bophirima Province.

SYNOPSIS

In 1996 DanceSport was rated the third most popularleisure activity in South Africa next to soccer and rugby. ‘Rumba in the Jungle’ was the premiere international dance event bringing dance couples from around the world to Sun City to complete for the prestigious title. But in 1999, due to internal factions, the dance festival disappeared from the international dance calendar and with it, its standing as a popular sport of choice in South Africa. Before it disappeared, the prestigious DanceSport competition launched the careers of Michael Wentink and Tebogo Kgobokoe, two world-renowned dance champions from South Africa who are now grooming a new generation of dance sport champions. As ‘Rumba in the Jungle’ makes its resurgence nearly two decades later, we follow Michael and Tebogo’s journeys over the 5 day event and we look back on moments in the past to discover what gave them focus , how they fought their personal demons and what make them the legendary champions that they are known as today.

credits

Screendance Africa in association with 1000 Hugs films funded by the South African dance Foundation
Directed by: Yolanda Mogatusi
Produced by: Dominique Josslie
Cinematography by: Mduduzi Ndlovu
Second Camera & Sound by: Zaheer Banderker
Edited by: Tsholo Monare & Dallas Moqalefa
Graphics: Dreamcast Media
Sound Design: Sweet Spot Audio

creators

Yolanda Mogatusi

Yolanda Keabetswe Mogatusi is a South African filmmaker and entrepreneur who is passionate about putting Africa on the global map. An AFDA and Durban Talents Alumni, Yolanda has 9 years of experience in the film and television industry which include a sitcom and teen lifestyle series. “Rumba in The Jungle – The Return”, is Yolanda’s first full-length documentary project.

Dominique Jossie

Dominique has previously competed in Dance Sport for 7 years. As a Writer, Director and Producer she has 8 years of experience in the film industry producing documentaries for etv and SABC. In 2017, Dominique production managed a 13-part fictional television series called DanZ! on Kyknet. “Rumba in The Jungle – The Return” is her passion project.

SA Dance Foundation

This film was made possible by the South African Dance Foundation, A section 21 (not for profit company). The SADF is a founder member of the World Dance Council (WDC), established in 1935, member of the International Dance Organisation (IDO) and the Council of International Dance of UNESCO (CID-UNESCO).

cast

Tebogo Kgobokoe

Known as the “Dance Queen”, Tebogo Kgobokoe is the undefeated South African Professional Latin Champion, Ten time Latin and Ballroom Champion, and World Latin American show dance finalist. To complement her many achievements, Ms Kgobokoe, a proud Arts Activist, is a celebrated business women in the arts with accolades in South Africa and the SADC region.

Michael Wentink

Michael Wentink is a former Professional South African Ballroom dancer specializing in International Style Latin. A British Open and World Latin Champion who has been in the industry for over 30 years, Michael’s passion for the sport keeps on growing as he continues to instruct, adjudicate and even design fashion wear for Latin American dancing.

Slavic Kryklyvyy & Karina Smirnoff

Season 13 Mirror Ball Champion Karina Smirnoff made her mark for 10 years as one of the featured dancers on ABC’s hit reality series Dancing with the Stars. Her success on Dancing with the Stars, the #1 rated show in its category has made Karina a household name and a sought after beauty, health, fitness, and fashion icon.

Victor Fung &A nastasia Muravyeva

Victor Fung is a giant in the world of competitive ballroom dancing, Just as Tiger Woods is to golf. Together with dance partner, Anastasia Murayeva they have won multiple national and world titles throughout their ten-year partnership. In 2017 they won the open professional ballroom title at the Blackpool Dance Festival, the most prestigious ballroom dance competition in the world.

Kisha Brown & Curtly Klaasen Junior Champion Ballroom Dancers

Kisha Brown and Curtly Klaasen have taken the dancing world by storm as the South African Junior Champion Ballroom Dancers. Although they might be young, they are set to achieve new heights in the world of dancesport.

Botlhale Sehoole & Moeketsi Lichabe

“Being an SA champ is pressuring, people expect you to improve. Every competition they have to see something new from you.” – Botlhale Sehoole. Moeketsi and Botlhale have been dancing together for a year before competing in Rumba in the Jungle 2017.