20-Year-Old Mbalenhle Mkhatshwa Brings Ballet to Youth in Tembisa
Mbalenhle Mkhatshwa, a 20-year-old psychology student, teaches ballet to young aspiring dancers in Tembisa.
Human StoriesGNGV Editorial Team4 min readLast reviewed September 28, 2026
In 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.
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.
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, ensuring that where a child grows up never determines whether they can pursue their passion for dance.
