What does good leadership, real, meaningful leadership, actually look like? A few months ago, I wrote about toxic leadership in a newsroom. That piece was easy to write because the experiences were raw and still stung. But when I sat down to write about good leadership, I realised something; the good far outweighed the bad….
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Toxic leadership in a community newsroom
Last Sunday at Mojo Market I saw someone who reminded me of a former editor I once reported to. My face reacted before my mind could catch up – a visceral response due to unresolved workplace trauma. I tensed up, anger rising instantly. What is she doing here? Should I tell her to Ts__? The…
All Eyes On Me
I’m disappointed in myself for engaging in certain discussions within the Cape Town SBK scene as it has led to unnecessary conflict and misinterpretation. What should be a space for dance and camaraderie has, in some instances, become one of exclusion and misrepresentation. It seems that nuanced conversations are difficult to have in this space,…
Bias on the dance floor
Not to be mistaken for “Murder on the Dance Floor” – in fact, it’s quite the opposite of that Sophie Ellis-Bextor hit. Instead of slaying the dance floor with someone, some just simply avoid someone altogether. Here’s the thing: you, me, we all have our prejudices. Whether it’s about someone’s dance ability, height, “academy” affiliation,…
The FORCE to dance, or not to…
Ah, the FORCE. A noun that shouldn’t belong in the SBK (Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba) scene, yet here we are, tossing it around as if it’s a dance move. But let me ask you this: when was the last time you saw someone FORCED to dance? Personally, I haven’t witnessed such coercion since I tried to…
THE LAST DANCE
I cannot recall who my last dance was with, or the song. It was definitely at Rooftop, a Kizomba session. Yes, that Rooftop in Mabonengthat was closed late in 2019 and reopened for one, it now seems, amazing Sunday in 2020. Since 2015, Kizomba at Rooftop on a Sunday was a given, a must for…
Why You Never Heard About SBK…
It was 2013, and it was a cool autumn afternoon in Cape Town, but inside Buena Vista it was balmy as men and women gyrated to Salsa beats. It was my first time seeing such a hodgepodge of people dancing so rhythmically, so naturally. I was in awe of this Salsa thing, there was one…
Sun-Kissed Is…
These winter chills got me wishing for summertime, and specifically, Sun-Kissed Salsa. I was there in April and to say I was impressed by that venue and that occasion is an understatement. I mean, dancing on a promenade with the Atlantic Ocean to your left, Lions Head peeking out to your right, and let’s not…
A Priority Check
Social dancing and writing about it was a top priority a year ago. I attended classes and parties at least four times a week, but my circumstances changed, and so did yours. And while I miss some faces I understand why you had to leave. Some of you study more, some work longer hours, a…
When Rooftop Disappoints
About a month ago, at Rooftop – arts on main of course, I danced with a professional dancer and it took three songs to get in tune with her, or to get her in tune with me, after all, I’m the leader. It was relatively easy as she had the balance, excellent rhythm and the…
Lose yourself to dance 