20-Year-Old Mbalenhle Mkhatshwa Brings Ballet to Township Youth in Tembisa

In the bustling township of Tembisa, east of Johannesburg, 20-year-old Mbalenhle Mkhatshwa is turning her passion for dance into a community lifeline. A final-year psychology student, Mbalenhle has established a ballet program that brings formal dance training to young children who would otherwise have no access to such opportunities.

Every week, Mbalenhle transforms community spaces into makeshift dance studios where her young students learn the fundamentals of ballet — from basic positions and posture to more complex choreography. For many of these children, her classes represent their first exposure to structured arts education.

“A final-year psychology student, Mbalenhle has established a ballet program that brings formal dance training to young children who would otherwise have no access to such opportunities.”

Growing up in Tembisa herself, Mbalenhle understands the barriers that talented young people face in township communities. Dance schools and formal training programs are often concentrated in affluent urban areas, putting them financially and geographically out of reach for township families. Her program eliminates both barriers by bringing classes directly into the community at no cost.

Her psychology studies inform her teaching approach. Mbalenhle recognizes that ballet offers more than just physical training — it builds confidence, discipline, and self-expression in children who may struggle to find those outlets elsewhere. She has witnessed firsthand how dance transforms the way her students carry themselves, both in the studio and in their daily lives.

Featured as part of News24's Good News Day 2026 coverage, Mbalenhle's story has inspired donations and offers of support from across South Africa. She hopes to eventually formalize her program into a registered nonprofit that can expand to other townships, ensuring that where a child grows up never determines whether they can pursue their passion for dance.