“Had To Leave My Footprints Here”: SA Dancer Shines at New York Times Square With Viral Moves

• A South African dancer pulled off impressive moves in front of crowds at New York's Times Square
• The TikTok content creator's confident performance included fancy legwork and jumps that left onlookers mesmerised
• Mzansi praised the young woman's boldness and talent, saying she made the country proud by representing South African dance culture on one of the world's biggest stages
• Briefly News spoke to dance expert Jayshri Ranagasamy regarding how SA dance moves are making a global impact

A South African dancer has taken the internet by storm after performing an incredible dance routine in New York's famous Times Square. The viral video, shared on 17 September 2025, shows the confident performer pulling off moves that left both tourists and locals completely amazed.

Content creator @kananelo_n_, who regularly shares dance videos on her TikTok page, decided to make her mark in one of the world's most famous locations. Her caption read:

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"Ah, I just had to leave my footprints here 😩🗽 NYC, my dear, you've been nice 😅"

The video shows the young woman starting with a confident look at the camera before breaking into her signature dance moves. Her routine included fancy legwork, impressive jumps, and smooth transitions that caught the attention of everyone around her. People in the background could be seen stopping to watch and record her performance on their phones.

The dancer's confidence shone through as she continued her routine, completely unbothered by the crowd around her. She finished her performance with a slow bow before removing her hat, making the moment even more memorable. The video then pans to show the iconic Times Square buildings surrounding the scene.

The clip quickly went viral, racking up over 260,000 views and receiving more than 47,000 reactions. Hundreds of comments poured in from viewers who were impressed by her bold move to dance in such a busy public space.

Mzansi reacts to the Times Square performance

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South Africans flooded the comments section with praise and excitement for their fellow countryman's overseas performance.

@mommyalu praised:

"You see that first move🔥🔥🔥"

@pumlashenge noticed:

"The guy in a black t-shirt and those 2 ladies sitting down 😍😍😍"

@tandywee encouraged:

"I feel like you held back, girl🔥🔥🔥Yoooh!"

@winx gushed:

"Girl to girl, you really left your heart ❤️there and it's forever in history, nice one girl 🥰"

@marviemillsz motivated:

"You are who you think you are!!"

@nandi asked:

"No because yes. How many times did you watch?🥰😍😍"

@cnox noted:

"The guy with a black t-shirt and white shorts is mesmerised 😭😭😭"

Why dance culture thrives in New York

According to Event Dance Floor experts, New York City has always been a place where dance culture flourishes and has a rich history dating back centuries. The city's various cultural communities have shaped its dance scene, from Native American traditions to modern street dance styles that emerged in the 1970s.

Hip hop and street dance first took shape in New York City, especially in the Bronx, where different cultural communities mixed their moves and music. The style spread fast, catching on around the world, but NYC is still seen as the heart of creativity and new dance trends.

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Today, the city is home to everything from classical ballet to street dance, making it the perfect stage for talented performers from around the world, like content creator @kananelo_n_to make their mark.

Speaking to Briefly News writer, Nerissa Naidoo, dance expert Jayshri Rangasamy discussed SA dance culture and how it is making a mark on a global scale. She stated:

"South African dance styles are taking over the world because they’re full of energy, rhythm, and authentic cultural expression. From amapiano dance trends to traditional moves, people love how SA dancing blends creativity, storytelling, and pure joy. What makes it so fascinating is the way it connects communities, even across countries, and shows off the spirit and pride of South African culture. It’s not just dance but identity and celebration."

View the TikTok clip below:

Other viral dance moments

• Briefly News recently reported on a Korean woman at the Seoul Africa festival who impressed viewers by performing traditional Zulu Indlamu dance moves combined with modern Amapiano steps, but her outfit choice left many people speechless.
• A young Eastern Cape teacher went viral after joining her students in the trending Magumba dance challenge, with the video's ending surprising viewers and earning her praise as "teacher of the year."
• Cassper Nyovest's son, Khotso, melted hearts with his adorable dance moves to his father's hit song, but fans noticed something special about his natural talent that had them calling him by a new nickname.

Source: Briefly News