A seat in the audience at a Strictly Come Dancing show in 2010 changed the course of Prince Motaung’s life. Sixteen years later, the head coach of dancesport on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus has gone from spectator to competitor, from champion to administrator, after having been appointed chairperson of University Sport South Africa (USSA) Dancesport.

The appointment marks another milestone for Prince, who is also a PhD candidate at the NWU. It follows his term as deputy chairperson and comes after he led the NWU Eagles to a third consecutive USSA Dancesport championship. The team claimed the overall title at the 2026 tournament, while also winning the Team Match and Team Formation events.

For Prince, the appointment is the result of a journey that began when he enrolled as a student at the Mahikeng Campus in 2014 and joined the dancesport team of the university.

“My dance journey started in 2010 as a spectator at the annual Strictly Come Dancing show. From that moment, I knew I had found a home in ballroom and Latin dance,” he said.

“I enrolled in my first team at the Mahikeng Campus in 2014 and never looked back. What people see today is more than 13 years of sacrifice, not overnight progress. From Level 1 to Adult Championship level, every stage prepared me for this moment.”

He made his USSA Dancesport debut in June 2014 as a Level 1 (Star Grade) competitor, competing against some of the leading university dancers in the country.

“It was never an easy journey competing among the best in varsity dancesport. I watched from the bench and learned from those who came before me. Every competition, every setback and every lesson prepared me for where I am today.”

Today, Prince continues to compete at championship level while serving as the full-time head coach of the Mahikeng Campus dancesport team – one of the most successful university programmes in the country.

His election as chairperson also marks a shift in the governance of the sport, with students leading USSA Dancesport for the first time.

“I look forward to this new term because I am ready to take varsity dance to a whole new level in South Africa,” he said. “One of my priorities is to help usher dancesport into the Confederation of University and College Sports Association and the International University Sports Federation, allowing South African student-athletes and the NWU to compete on the international stage.”

Prince said he hopes his journey will encourage aspiring dancers to embrace the process rather than chase quick success.

For the NWU Eagles community, his appointment represents more than personal achievement. It reflects the growth of a programme that has produced national champions, developed student leaders and now has a voice at the highest level of university dancesport in South Africa.

Prince Motaung