Salsa in Rainbow Nation

After 15 years of democracy, most South Africans of the idealised ‘Rainbow Nation’ still live largely separate lives, primarily because of economic inequality and the legacy of apartheid residential rules that kept population groups apart for decades.

Most of them worship with their kin, many schools are composed of students of mostly of the same hue, and sporting events attract different groups.

People also tend to socialise among their own ?going to coloured or Indian parties with no hint of apology. Other groups are welcome at these parties, but the prominent group wants to party to celebrate its cultural and ethnic traditions. One exception is salsa dancing.

In Johannesburg, salsa is a steadily growing phenomenon that brings together a diverse group of people who otherwise have little in common.

A common denominator

In a city that still parties along defined lines of culture and ethnicity, salsa is a common denominator for people who share nothing but their love of the dance.

Among the general public it may be better known than rave parties or Gothic rock, but not by much. Yet salsa and its culture have been slowly gaining ground for the past several decades; you can find salsa clubs in any world-class city worth its salt. From London to Dubai, from Miami to Sydney, you can dance with like-minded souls almost every night of the week.

Salsa is a secret and instantaneous passport into an unfamiliar city, where you can walk into a club and start dancing with anyone without hesitation. You don’t even need to speak the local language. Whether in Tokyo or Shanghai, salseros are conversant in the common language of this Latin dance that sprang from the barrios of Cuba, Columbia and the Dominican Republic.

Some might consider salsa a silly, frivolous pastime, especially for those over 35 who still retain the dancing bug. But salsa lovers say that is precisely why they love it. The music seeps into their bones. They hold their heads high. Their chests are puffed out like the front of a Volkswagen. They usually sport a sly smile that seems to shout, “I’m having the time of my life!”

Therapeutic values of dancing

Many testify to the therapeutic values of dancing, saying it’s impossible to dance salsa and be depressed at the same time.

In Johannesburg, the salsa scene revolves around five instructors from diverse backgrounds, all with a loyal following.

They include Vincent Moyce, a Zimbabwean who studied salsa in New Zealand, Emmanuel Sowah, who hails from Ghana, Vicky McRose, a white South African who studied in London, Anthony Yates, a white South African who had initially trained in ballroom dancing, and 27-year-old Thabo Molto, a black South African who has been studying dancing since he was 15.

Salsa is so addictive that people who can’t spend 10 minutes on a treadmill at the gym will go for hours on the dance floor.

About 60 percent or more of salsa students are female, a ratio that is similar around the world. Most women appear to be biologically wired to love salsa. When the music starts playing, they appear almost helpless in their attraction to the beat.

Most guys are terrified they will make a fool of themselves on the dance floor and stay clear. But the few brave souls who stick with it become dedicated, invariably sharing their female partners’ addiction.

Salsa teachers in Johannesburg:

Thabo Moloto of Strictly Come Salsa

Sunday nights at 7pm
Address: Cha Cha Dance Club, The PostHouse and Link Centre (above the Baron), Main Road, Bryanston
Phone: 073 749 9022
Email comesalsa@gmail.com to be put on the mailing list
Facebook group: Sunday Afternoon Salsa
Cost: R50

Vicky McRose of Hot & Spicy Salsa School

Wednesdays at 7.30pm
Address: Club 96, corner of Witkoppen and Main Road, Fourways
Phone: 072 265 6101
Email: vicky@salsa.za.net or hnssalsa@gmail.com
Web: www.salsa.za.net
Facebook group: HNS Salsa
Cost: R50

Vincent Moyce of AfroMambo Dance Company

Thursdays at 7pm
Address: Dance Junxion, The Mall of Rosebank, Baker Street, Rosebank
Phone: 072 872 8582
Email: afromambo@wbs.co.za to be put on mailing list
Facebook group: Afromambo Dance Company
Cost: R100