Nearly 5 000 people attended the 13th annual ATKV Rieldans competition at the Paarl Taalmonument amphitheatre on Saturday.
This year’s senior champions and winners of the Grietjie van Gharies award are the Boesmanland Bitterbessies, who kicked dust in the eyes of the competition.
In the U20 section, the Brandvlei Stofskoppers were crowned winners, and in the U14 section, the Prins Albert Vastrappers took first place.
Along with some lekker traditional dance moves, there was great drama when one of the dancers, Denven van Rooi from Betjiesfontein Rieldansers, fainted as they were kicking up the dust in the ring.
Berni Kleinveldt from Kraaifontein said he got a groot skrik when the man suddenly fell to the ground.
“He probably got a bit excited as the rhythm of the dance increased and overwhelmed him,” Berni says.
“It happens sometimes. Blood sugar gets real low and you go down.”
Van Rooi was checked by first-aiders on the scene and he was back on his feet soon after. He, however, could not participate in the dance number.
WE ARE THE CHAMPS: Boesmanland Bitterbessies
A female member of the group tells the Daily Voice: “Denven suddenly got a pain in his chest and just caved in, fainting during the dance.
“We had to replace him with another dancer, and were luckily allowed to restart our dance, after a brief break,” she said.
Phillip Mankapaan from the Carnarvon Rieldansers in Loeriesfontein won the prize for best guitar player, while the Prince Albert Vastrappers U14 team won for best song.
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