EYES ON THE PRIZE

Plain meisie, 9, dances her way to the US after overcoming oog issues

- BY VOICE REPORTER

FOR nine-year-old Xiniah Lewin from Mitchells Plain, the world was once a frustrating blur. But vandag, all the world’s a stage.

In an incredible story of remarkable resilience, the young hip-hop dancer has been selected to represent South Africa at a prestigious international competition in New York City next year — a feat she achieved just six months after joining a new dance school.

However, the road to the Big Apple has been anything but smooth.

For years, Xiniah’s mother Chantel, a dedicated single ouer, watched her daughter struggle.

Despite being a slimkop and an energetic child, Xiniah began to fall behind in her schoolwork. The confidence that usually radiated from her started to dim as she became the target of playground teasing.