Dancer

When Lulu Mlangeni was growing up in Meadowlands watching Shell Road to Fame — a show that fuelled her fascination with dance and inspired her to take it up “for fun” — she had no idea that, at 23, she would achieve fame and acclaim on screen. In 2010, Mlangeni was crowned winner of the second season of the local dance competition So You Think You Can Dance. She won R250 000 and a ticket to her dancing destiny.

Since then, she’s toured with her mentor Gregory Maqoma’s dance company Vuyani Dance Theatre (of which she was the first black female dancer and is currently a senior company member), performed in the ANC’s centenary celebrations and has travelled worldwide, including facilitating workshops and performing in the USA. She also participates in Vuyani Dance Theatre’s outreach programmes and her ultimate ambition is to share her passion for dance with children — inspiring them in the way she was inspired as a child, captivated by dancing talent on TV.

— Lu Larche

Facebook: Mlangeni.lulu