Breaking Boundaries: SA Dancer Heading to LA

HI there everyone!

My name is Ntombi Tutie Mncube but everyone calls me Tutie!

I am a dancer, and I’m proud to share that I am one of the few dancers selected to travel to Los Angeles, USA in December 2026, to train in some of the most incredible studios. This is one of the biggest achievements of my life. Opportunities like this don’t come around very much, especially for someone who didn’t grow up with access to studios or even formal training.

I wish I could say that I have been dancing my whole life, that this moment is the big break I’ve dreamed of since childhood but that wouldn’t be true. I’ve always loved to dance, but growing up in an orphanage meant studios and lessons were out of reach.

It wasn’t until I was fostered my foster mom did everything to help me and I finally had the chance to join a dance studio. The moment I stepped into that space, so much changed. I fell in love with dance in a way I didn’t even think was possible. It became more than movement and it has become a place where I can express myself and feel like I really belong and co...