Who says a boertjie can’t shake his boom boom? The streets of Twitter are abuzz after Julius Malema tweeted a video of a two-tone wearing dancing boertjie getting down to MRF Soul’s viral song, Amanikiniki.
Juandré Nortje, a 22-year-old professional dancer and model, tells Food For Mzansi he could never imagine that his road to stardom would be boosted by the EFF leader of all people. His nearly 106 000 followers on TikTok have known for quite some time, though, that Nortje can gwara gwara as good as he can sokkie.
The Pretoria-born, self-taught dancer tells us he’s been dancing since he was only 12. Although he didn’t let the cat out of the bag, we can also confirm that Nortje will be featured on a new music video by the Afrikaans boy band known as Jan, Jan, Jan. They are dressed by Boerboel Wear, a Mzansi camo and Kalahari-inspired clothing brand which is busy mainstreaming traditional farm attire.
So, Juandré, how does it feel to be trending?
Short and sweet, amazing! So, the thing is, I started my TikTok account on 4 April 2020, I think. There are quite a few videos on my account that have had a few views, but this one is specifically trending. It’s insane! That is all I can say. It’s really amazing and the fact that a few people, like Malema, shared the video is great!
Where did you get your dance moves from, though?
To be honest, I think I’ve always had it in me. I just discovered it at a very late stage. I have been dancing since the age of 12, but I really do love African dances. My favourite is Amapiano (a style of house music), so, I think I always had it in me. I did not have (formal) classes for it.
And the video everyone’s buzzing about?
I taught myself the Amanikiniki moves after seeing it on TikTok, and all of the African dance moves as well. So, I taught myself the leg work. I actually started with the gwara gwara dance and then I moved over to the vosho.
Read more: You MUST watch these Jerusalema videos by Mzansi’s farmers
Listen, about the short shorts…
You know what, we actually had a music video shoot, so we didn’t have a choice! It was given to us. So, while we were filming my friend and I decided to work on some steps to prepare for the TikTok video we wanted to shoot next. We decided to do it in our BoerBoel wear just to help the brand as well.
There is a notion that ‘boer boys’ can’t dance. What do you have to say about that?
I believe boer boys can definitely dance. It all depends on feeling the beat and acting on it with the correct rhythm. We all have rhythm, some just have to find it.
Did you grow up on a farm?
No, not at all! We were filming a new music video for Jan, Jan, Jan. Actually, I am not a farm boy at all. I’m very far from it. I am a city boy and it was also a fresh experience for me to wear such clothes, I must say.
And when you’re not dancing?
I love socialising with friends and I also work in the insurance industry as a call-centre agent. But I have previously done dancing full-time for a few months, but then the covid- 19 pandemic happened. Unfortunately, I had to stop for a while.
Are you single? Twitter is going crazy…
Yes, kind of…
What is your favourite tune to get down to?
I would say Amanikiniki by MFR Souls featuring Major League Djz, Kamo Mphela and Bontle Smith, that’s my favourite!
