"Lit Performance": Amapiano Meets Ballet in Proud Mzansi Dance Moves
- Joden Williams posted a stunning video fusing classical ballet with Amapiano moves, creating the AmaBallet style that caught Mzansi’s attention
- The performance shows how South African dance culture can evolve, blending traditional elegance with energetic street rhythms
- The video went viral as audiences celebrated creativity, skill, and a proudly South African fusion that feels modern and fresh
- Briefly News reached out to professional dancer Joden Williams and dancer-choreographer Keitu, representing herself, Joburg Ballet School and Company, and the founder of Amaballet, Bhungane, to weigh in on the growing fusion of amapiano and ballet, a cross-genre style many now refer to as Amaballet
A new dance style is turning heads in South Africa, blending ballet precision with Amapiano rhythm for a performance you don’t want to miss.
Source: Facebook
On 3 December 2025, South African dancer Joden Williams posted a video showcasing a unique dance performance on Facebook, where he combined classical ballet with Amapiano moves. The performance, which he calls AmaBallet, fused traditional ballet techniques with street-inspired steps such as the tobetsa, creating a visually striking hybrid style. The video quickly caught the attention of local audiences for its creativity and flair.
This fusion was inspired by Bhungane Mehlomakulu, a professional dancer known for performing with Ballet Black in London and the Cape Town City Ballet, who pioneered the integration of Amapiano rhythms into classical dance. Williams’s post aimed to showcase the evolution of South African dance, blending modern street culture with classical artistry. AmaBallet is gaining recognition for bridging gaps between different dance cultures in South Africa. By combining the structured elegance of ballet with the rhythm, improvisation, and energy of Amapiano, performers like Williams are opening doors to new audiences and creative possibilities.
AmaBallet wows South African audience
Netizens in the comments were captivated by the smooth transitions between ballet and Amapiano moves, appreciating how traditional and contemporary styles blended seamlessly. Comments reflected admiration for his precision, energy, and creativity, with many expressing surprise at how well the fusion worked. The performance also resonated because it celebrated South African culture in a fresh, modern way, showing that local art can evolve while staying proudly South African.
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Viewers were inspired and entertained, praising Joden Williams’s performance for its skill, creativity, and cultural significance. Many felt that AmaBallet represents the future of South African dance, where innovation meets tradition. The overall sentiment was positive, with audiences enjoying the originality and talent on display, and celebrating a homegrown style that reflects local music, dance, and energy.
Joden believes the rise of Amaballet could spark widespread interest, particularly among local audiences. He told Briefly News:
“With the rise of the new so-called ballet genre called Amaballet, I think it will pique many people’s interest, specifically in South Africa, because it’s something fresh and accessible to them. Blending amapiano and ballet is something people did not expect, because over the years, ballet was only supposed to be what the Russians made it out to be.”
According to Joden, the genre allows South African dancers to tell their own stories through movement and sound.
“When blending amapiano and ballet together, you get to have fun. You get to dance to a new rhythm, a rhythm we as South Africans are familiar with, so it’s easier to catch on. We’re able to tell our stories and our heritage through dance, using our own sound that complements our steps and fits a South African or African storyline. When blending two art forms, it can become quite tricky, especially since ballet and amapiano have opposite dance principles.”
Joden broke down the contrast between the two styles.
“In amapiano, you may slouch your shoulders, rotate your hips, and attack movements full force because the beats are fast. In ballet, posture must always be upright, alignment is crucial, and movement is graceful, you don’t attack the moves head-on. The two are quite opposite, so you need to find a smooth transition between them.”
Keitu described Amaballet as an evolution of ballet that expands its reach while honouring culture.
“I see a less rigid version of ballet that not only reaches other crowds and inspires a larger variety of people, but also preserves cultures.”
She noted that one of the biggest risks of cross-genre dance is cultural misunderstanding.
“One challenge is cultural misunderstanding, the risk of disrespecting cultures due to a lack of understanding or straight-up ignorance.”
However, she added that the fusion also carries powerful potential.
“On the flip side, it can unite two cultures that would’ve otherwise never crossed paths, and it can call for cultures to learn about and respect one another.”
Keitu emphasised that cultural roots should never be stripped away in artistic innovation.
“All dance forms stem from a culture or community and should always reflect, honour, and acknowledge its people. Don’t remove the heart of the people from their own dance or genre.”
She also shared advice for dancers interested in experimenting with cross-genre styles.
“Master one dance form first, then master the other. To make a cross-genre style look smooth, you need to execute it with both mentalities you’d use when dancing the two styles separately.”
Source: Facebook
Mzansi reacts to creative performance
Imaan Madatt Evans wrote:
“Killed it.”
Tebogo Mabowa wrote:
“Love it.”
Õrãtëñg Ãyãñda wrote:
“Argh man, you ate.”
Divalesh Divi wrote:
“You gained yourself a follower.”
Hack Zerow wrote:
“What do you drink or eat to get that energy?”
Sãsãh Bæbby wrote:
“Ate and left no crumbs.”
Thelma Mushonga wrote:
“Fire.”
Bojwalo Letseka wrote:
“Obama lookalike.”
Sikhuphela Khanyisa wrote:
“That was actually good.”
Check out the Facebook video below:
3 Other Briefly News stories related to Amapiano
- A local TikTok user shared a video of a South African Police Service officer dancing and singing in an official police vehicle.
- While at the Lion and Safari Park in Gauteng, a young woman showed what looked like a giraffe dancing.
- An old viral video of a young woman dancing with a raccoon inside a cage resurfaced on the internet.
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Source: Briefly News
