Afronita: Bringing hope and empowerment through the African dance

In a groundbreaking moment for Ghanaian Talent, Danita Akosua Adomah Yeboah popularly known as Afronita, together with Abigail Agyir took the stage on the Britain’s Got Talent Audition and successfully made it to the next round. This milestone will forever go down in history as Danita and Abigail are the first Ghanaian to ever compete in the audition, get the approval of the judges including Simon Cowell to enter into the next round of the competition.

 Afronita, on stage with Abigail Agyir at the Britain’s Got Talent Audition.

Coupled with a lot of celebration in the country including having the “#Afronita” trending on X over the weekend, nothing stunned the audience more than finding out that Abigail is a child living with a disability. Sure, their performance was rewarded with a standing ovation from the audience but what truly moved them was finding out that Afronita had taken this young girl under her wing and fulfilled her dream of competing in Britain’s got talent competition.

Afronita fulfilled Abigail’s dream of competing in Britain Got Talent competition.

This has led people to wonder, what truly is Afronita’s story? Why would she agree to mentor Abigail, when the majority of parents in this country, want their children (ages 0 to 18) to primarily focus on performing better in school?

Let us uncover that, shall we?

Afronita’s Journey 

Afronita knew from a young age that she wanted to use her innate abilities to make a difference in the world. Inspired by the struggles she witnessed around her, particularly among the vulnerable and marginalized, she set out on a mission to bring joy, hope, and empowerment through her art.

Her journey began at the wee age of 13. She found solace in watching dance videos on social media while she practiced for several hours in front of her mirror till exhaustion. She had dreams of becoming a professional dancer and performing on global stages, though her introverted self-mirrored a different tune.

“I was an introvert when I was becoming an adolescent. I found joy in watching dance videos on YouTube. I would rehearse for hours in front of the mirror, and then go to bed. With time, I started gaining confidence to record myself.” – Afronita explained

After several practices, Afronita began churning out videos of herself dancing on social media, which had amassed a decent amount of viewership. However, she knew she needed to refine her innate ability. This in perspective, she began scrambling online for talented dancers who had created a niche for themselves. She found “Dance God Lloyd” wished she was under his tutelage.

On an eventful day, Afronita finally met Dance God Lloyd at an eatery she visited with her parents. Though the meeting yielded a positive response, she was unable to attend his dance classes at the “Dance with Purpose Academy (DWP)” because she was preparing for her examination at the time.

Afronita dances with Dance God Lloyd. Video Credit: Dance God Lloyd

But, after examination, the talented dancer finally joined the much-celebrated dance group dubbed DWP where she gained mastery of her craft. This she recounted had been the beginning of an inciting journey in her career.

The Culmination of Afronita’s Passion.

Afronita is one of the highest followed dancers on social media in Ghana and has performed on several stages here in Ghana and internationally including the Global Citizen Award held in Ghana.

“In March, I orchestrated a captivating dance workshop in Tanzania, where I taught participants rhythmic movements and vibrant choreography. This workshop, drew in attendees from various backgrounds, each eager to refine their skills under my guidance.”

Afronita orchestrated a captivating dance workshop in Tanzania. Video Credit: Afronita

Prior to her Tanzanian endeavor, in February, she journeyed to London to collaborate with a renowned dance enthusiast Cindy Longwani. Together, they organized a dynamic workshop that resonated throughout the dance community. From children taking their first steps on the dance floor to young adults honing their craft, Afronita’s expertise surpasses age barriers, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees.

Her influence extended beyond workshops, as she played a pivotal role at the prestigious DWP Academy. Here, she assumed the mantle of a senior dancer, tasked with nurturing and refining the talents of aspiring dancers. Her dedication to mentorship and her innate ability to inspire growth earned her the esteem and appraisal from both peers and protégés alike.

Afronita’s influence extended beyond workshops. Video Credit: Afronitaa

She passionately expresses her belief in Africa’s potential and her dedication to leveraging her craft to disseminate African stories. She encourages her mentees to embrace dance as a powerful medium for conveying the luxuriance and positivity of Africa ignoring the stereotype around dance. Her mission is to empower others to showcase the diverse narratives of Africa, aiming to foster a brighter future for generations yet to be envisioned on the continent.

Afronita’s Encounter with Abigail

In 2023, Afronita chanced on a circulating video of Abigail Agyir. Abigail is a hearing-impaired dancer who competed and emerged the winner of reality TV Entertainment show for kids, Talented Kidz. According to Afronita, she knew she had a divine role to play in the lad’s life at first glance of the video hence she began preparations towards meeting her. This was a kick start of her pilot project that entailed nurturing kids and churning out a new generation of dancers.  Within a short, stipulated time frame Afronita had been able to build a solid audience for Abigail which is evident in her large fan base on all her social media platforms.

The intricate bond between the duo had my interest stirred up. When asked how she trains Abigail, she divulged that her training is solely dependent on the vibration of music and a calculated movement.

“Teaching Abigail is not difficult; it is just a matter of doing the moves and making sure she is getting the timing right with counts. Abigail is a very passionate person, looking at her condition and her level of passion for dance. It is just inspiring”.

Afronita builds a solid online audience for Abigail. Video Credit: Afronita

Speaking on how the 8-year-old hearing-impaired dancer combines education and dance, she explained; “Abigail comes during vacations or weekends, she attends a regular school but there are special arrangements. She has a tutor in the school who teaches her on the days she is unable to attend school. Her classes are rescheduled so she never misses out on her education while pursuing her dream”.

Establishing the AfroStar Kids Academy.

For Afronita, dance is not a craft but a means of communication and a symbol of hope for the new generation. These are the clutches that propelled her to establish her dance academy dubbed “AfroStar Kids Academy” which launched on 14th April 2024. The Academy is slated to nurture and teach kids with or without disability the art of dancing. She believes children are the currency for the future hence they must be offered equal opportunity to identify and nurture their innate abilities.

AfroStar Kids Academy is slated to nurture and teach children, with or without disability the art of dancing

She reiterated that; she is on a mission of transporting African dance culture to the global stage which informed her stage name “Afronita”. “I want to be the talking drum of the African dance. When people see me, they should see a girl from Africa who is doing so well by putting Africa on the map. My name Afronita is a representation of a deliberate effort and a reminder of my aim. Afro represents everything African and Danita my name which is a representation of my personality”.

The 20-year-old dancer is also currently studying finance and banking at the university in Ghana – Legon. This she stated would be her retirement career when she eventually quits dance.

“I actually don’t intend to retire but I know that at a certain age you cannot do certain things. That said I know at the right time; things would evolve and at that point I can probably pick up my banking and finance career when I am too old to dance”.

Conclusion

Afronita’s journey from a young, introverted dancer to a globally recognized professional showcases the transformative power of dance, accessorizing how passion, dedication, and resilience can birth success despite societal misconceptions.

Afronita’s vision is to become the talking drum of African dance. Photo Credit: TV3 Ghana.

Her vision of becoming the “talking drum of African dance” symbolizes a deliberate effort to showcase Africa’s rich cultural heritage through dance, bridging continents and fostering cultural exchange. Through her achievements, the establishment of AfroStar Academy, and the representation of Ghana on the Britain’s got talent competition, Afronita is not only redefining the narrative of dance in Ghana but also paving a path for aspiring dancers to thrive while clinging onto a monument of hope.