Tamira Naka won a gold medal for her tap solo after competing in the International Performing Arts Championships (IPAC) in New York.

She was part of a South African team that competed. To qualify as a competitor, Tamira had to do well in the regional competition, Talent Africa and then in the national competition that was held in Sasolburg last year. There too she won gold.

Her teacher at Laetitia’s Dance Studio in Mulbarton is incredibly proud of her, saying it is her hard work and dedication that has made her so successful.

Tamira said: “Even though it was nerve-wracking, I took my mother’s advice to forget it was a competition and just dance my heart out.”