Strike a pose

From suburban South Africa to global dance fame

- Rachel Savage

In a dance studio in suburban east Johannesburg, the choreographer Lee-ché Janecke put a group of student cheerleaders through their steps. After five hours of everything from body rolls to vogueing with pompoms and a classic cheerleading lift, the excited group gathered round Janecke to make a TikTok video of one of the latest South African amapiano dance challenges. They were done in just two takes.

Janecke has been at the forefront of the growing global popularity of South African dance and music in the past few years. Having worked with Tyla since she was 17, he was responsible for the viral dance that accompanied Water, the breakout hit that propelled the South African singer and songwriter, now 23, to worldwide fame.

Janecke now wants to turn his growing reputation into a global brand, moving beyond the South African music industry while still retaining the essence of his culture.

"When I speak about my life it makes me emotional to know this is where it's come to, and that where it's come to feels like a new start," he said after finishing the rehearsal.