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Quote: "technique does not make good dancing, it makes good dancing easier"
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Quote: "technique does not make good dancing, it makes good dancing easier"
Letters & DanceTalk - December 2001 - Letters: Nov 01
Dear Jay and readers
On the 8th December the National Ballroom and Latin Championships were held in Port Elizabeth. What turned out for some couples a success, was a disaster for others.
I would like to focus only on the Youth Latin Championship section. 35 couples entered. The rounds were danced in the afternoon, including the Semi-finals. By 7pm all finalists were established.
When it became public that “THEE” 2 top Youth Latin couples had not been re-called into the Final, a tremendous amount of people inquired about this impossible happening. The 2 couples were Martin Moroder and Ziona van der Merwe, Andre and Beata Cloete. Only 5 couples were re-called for the Final and after inquiring, I was told, that 4 other couples had 14 call-backs.
I personally went to the Chairman of Adjudicators Mr. Albie Matthews to complain about this decision to bring back only 5. From 5 judges each couple can achieve a maximum of 25 call-backs. A minimum of 13 would, in by opinion, be sufficient to allow them to reach the next round, and they had 14 couples.
Just to support and validate my complaint, I would like to mention that having been in Holland at the Dutch Open 4 weeks ago, a similar incident happened, but with a different outcome. At the IDSF Open Standard Championships the judges were asked to bring back 6 for the Final. Instead, 7 couples made the Final. Why? The 7th couple had a majority of call-backs. It works in Holland, but not in South Africa.
The right and adequate decision of the scrutineer Mr. Arthur Isaacs and/or chairman would have been to re-dance the Semi-final with 9 competitors and call 6 for the Final. Mr. Matthews instead decided not to re-dance the Semi-final. Why? Was it, because the 4 couples, who didn’t make the Final, would have been a threat to the scrutineer’s daughter, who was a finalist or was there perhaps another hidden agenda?
Martin and Ziona, the No. 1 Youth couple in S.A. and Andre and Beata, the S.A. Youth representative at the World’s in April 2001, are in my view, the real contenders to the title of this year.
I think the chairman made a major mistake in making this decision. Trainers, several other qualified adjudicators, competitors and parents from throughout the country disagreed with his decision. A lack of interest or knowledge, in my opinion, by the scrutineer and/or the chairman is in this instance unforgivable and unacceptable.
Finally I would like to challenge every scrutineer and chairman in charge, to really support competitive dancing and consequently DanceSport in this country. Should their knowledge be insufficient, I suggest that they get informed and updated by internationally renowned experts in this field and adjust to common practice.
I just hope for the sake of DanceSport ethics that no corruption or manipulation by judges and officials in certain decisions was on the books.
Good luck to all competitors for the year 2002 and let’s hope that what occurred to certain couples in Latin and Ballroom does not happen to any other competitive couple in the future.
Regards, Felix Moroder
Ed
Felix, by reading between
the lines, and listening to others, I'd say your comments are a mild rendition
of what really happenings. It's such a shame that, in a country where free-speech
is part of the constitution, we are nailed to being conservatively mute
about blurting the truth. Years ago someone accused my magazine of being
the SA Dancer's Tabloid, and I'm seriously thinking of changing the name
to "SADT", if it will encourage dancers to speak out whenever they feel
they're being raw-dealed.
As much as the authorities abhor it, DanceSport needs a mag that's prepared to say it as it is. That's why Parliament has opposition seats - to help keep things stabilised in the country.
Here's two letters I received this month which relate to your feelings and the things that perturb you:
Thanks for your healthy input to DanceSport. Let's hope others will follow your brave example.Who selected the judges? And how fair was the panel ?!!!! ... SA's had to have been swindled Hi Jay
Thanks for the support you have shown the dancers over the years. To 'confused and amazed’, it is common knowledge that the SA's had to have been swindled.It has now become known that the International judges gave lessons in the week they were in SA. One of the international judges gives lessons in SA on a regular basis and was the guest of a local teacher and studio head. And another judge is a personal friend of another local teacher. Lorraine and G Smit were the only 2 International judges that were confirmed at the beginning. Who selected the judges? And how fair was the panel ?!!!!
Confused and Amazed
Ed
Your 2 burning questions, ' Who selected the judges? And how fair was the panel ?!!! '. According to the feelings of many, the judging of the SA's this year was a cute, patent sell-out; pre-ordained by those who prefer swindle to fair play for the sake of getting their pals into the record books - the manipulators. DICTATORS sounds more suitable, wouldn't you say? it's time for an en mass dancer's demo to the U buildings.Rock 'n Roll and Hustle demos by SA champs for New Year parties Dear Jay
I would like you to place a small add on your website. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago - our children Michael-David and Mandy-Lynne Sasnovski (they have double barrel names), won the SA Hustle and Rock 'n Roll Championships for 2 years in a row (2000 & 2001).They are trying so hard to save money to go over to the UK for further training. Should anyone still be looking for people to do demonstrations at New Year Eve Parties - Michael-David and Mandy-Lynne I am sure wwould give much delight with their Rock 'n Roll routine and Hustle Routine at parties. They are also Championship Latin dancers and made it to the Quarter Final at the SA Champs in PE. As they are still Amateur Dancers - what ever proceeds they make goes through Fedansa - it has to be declared.
Here are contact details should anyone be interested in talking to us:
At Home: (Alan & Sharon): 012 - 993 3393
Sharon (Cell): 082 875 5378
Alan (Cell): 072 347 0788
Michael-David (Cell): 082 780 9404
\Mandy-Lynne (Cell): 072 248 4853Thanks so much Jay.
Looking at your list of the SA Championship results, there are a few things that just don't gel. Firstly, there is NO WAY that Anthony Krotz and Kim Corker could not have won the professional Ballroom section. Secondly, I agree with Felix wholeheartedly that Martin Moroder & Ziona van der Merwe, Andre & Beata Cloete didn't get into the final is an absolute swindle. Thirdly, Ryno van den Berg & Sonja Stanford placing 5th after having recently done so well all round the world seem like a major mess-up.
The judging appears to be politically and provincially partisan -- one big circus in our country. Felix hit the nail on the head when he said, "I just hope, for the sake of DanceSport ethics, that no corruption or manipulation by judges and officials in certain decisions was on the books".
Confused and amazed
Ed
What affects the judges'
decisions is not unique to our land, it's a global curse that has loomed
and lurked since time immemorial and will continue to badger the competitor
until the end of time. It's the most contentious subject debated ad infinitum
by parents, competitors, coaches or anyone who has an opinion or is connected
with the sport.
I doubt whether the DanceSport method of marking will ever compute a close 90% prejudice-free result. My proposal is the "trick snooker" system where the officials display a sensitive volume-detector in the shape of a barometer, measured in tens, from 0 to 100 and visible to all. The presenter shouts, "vote for couple # 21" and the fans go wild. The barometer shoots up to 80, or just the mothers of their little darlings screem, scoring 20. YES, let the audience voice their feelings and opinions by allowing their volume, to at least, count as a participating 20% of the out-come.
Let's not replace the judges completely with the barometer, but have the spectators' vocal opinion serve to cancel out much of the beleaguered bickering that makes the current system suck and so very unfair... Oh yes C & A, don't forget to rent a crowd.
To really fine-tune this
new visual, vocal system, let's also introduce Open Marking (visual marking)
to give spectators substantial opportunity to publicly boo prejudice judges
or the judge that is totally off course. That way the majority vote is
carried during the ruonds and at the final count.
Dancing is a highly subjective sport and the results are always questionable. Most of the dancers, parents and guardians spend a fortune throughout the year on training, outfits and competitions. I think that most dancers would feel more comfortable with the results if the markings were open. There would also be less talk after the competition about the controversial results. At all the world trials, the markings are open. The finals for all national competitions should be marked openly. If there is an issue with time, maybe the organisers should think about organising the SA champs differently - this would be more costly - but justice would be done to the dancers.
The other issue I would like to raise is about the Youth Championship Latin. There were only 5 finalist out of 3 heats (I think that there were 35 entries for this section). There was an issue with the 6th couple as 3 couples tied for this position in the semi-final. Again, due to time constraints a shortcut was taken and only 5 dancers were brought back to the final. This is clearly not fair to the couples. The number of call-backs a couple receives in the semi-final does not determine the final result. Sometimes the couple with the most call-backs in the semi-final can end up 4th or 5th in the final. I would have liked to see the semi-finalists (the 8 couples affected) redance their semi-final for a better result. We should not use the time issue as an excuse to treat dancers unfairly. After all the competition is about the dancers.
I would also like to invite other dancers to share their views on the above issues.
Thanks Ed.
WP dancer
Ed
I say BULL to time constraints.
That's just a fancy phrase for a wholesale buggerup; very poor management
or bad organisation, that's all it is, nothing less. But the worst is,
you dancers, like docile sheep (idiots) have to willingly accept whatever
they dish out "due to their time constraints". It's called foisting, palming
off their mismanagement onto the grots of the sport, and then saying "due
to time constraints we are unable to deliver what we promised on the programme,
i.e. before you fools paid for it - sorry for bluffing you so openly"...
otherwise known as a rip off. "time constraints" also tells me that they
are cashing in BIG TIME and don't know what to do with all the ping-ping,
and that's in addition to the 1% subsidy DSSA gets from the government...
I want that job.
Good grief, just recently a competitor told me that these DSSA officials now plan to take over and control the social fraternity as well - WHAT A GOOD GIGGLE (you see WP D, you guys aren't the only idiots, they have pigeonholed the social dancers as well) yet they can't even handle their own responsibilities properly. How in the name of Rock 'n Roll are they going to Jive with the Social scene, Ha Ha, Ha Ha, Ha Ha. This party's getting pretty rough, I LIKE.
If DanceSport SA doesn't allow their dancers to voice their opinions openly in this column, then how in the name of sizzling Hades do you think they will allow Open Marking... no way hozay - that's too democratic for their trade. I agree with you absolutely, Open Marking will definitely sort out the cats from the canaries. It will give spectators the opportunity to publicly boo prejudice judges, and soon problem solved, but in the verkraampte domain DSSA finds itself, we'll need a new, newer than new, very brand new South Africa before that happens. In the meantime, let daddy mark his son, mummy her daughter, the trainer his own pupils, etc. and remember... don't show it to anybody, and 2 hoots to justice.
I've sent your comments to all the officials, as well as to my thousands of subscribers - competitive, freestyle, spanish, modern & social dancers.
Thanks for your honesty and
bravery - dancing needs this kind of input.
I promise I will email and fill you in on our last 2 years in the US of A. Right now tho - we heard only last night of the passing of Mannie Gomez a few weeks ago - Cameron Johnson let us know. Our deepest condolences to Mannies wife and family and his many students. He was a friend and a wonderful man with an incredible heart of gold - he will, I know, be sorely missed also.
Regards and fond wishes to all my dancing friends in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Kind regards
Martin and Desiree Smith [ ex DBN KZN - now NY NY ]
Ed
Martin & Desiree, great
hearing from you, but we don't accept promises, we want action, C. While
you're about it, let us know how many champions you've trained, how much
money you're making, how your own dancing is shaping, etc. You must have
been close to the 11th of September tragedy - that's frightening.
Thanks. Marion
Ed
Marion, it should have been
online Sunday 9 December. It's now the 15, a week later, so my xmas guess
is they're holidaying in the sun somewhere. Here's the link on my site.
keep clicking " Competitive Results "
"MASK BALL"
At the National Joint Council meeting held in PE on the 9th December 2001, it was agreed that the South African Championships 2002 will be awarded to the Western Province. The date for the competition will be the 7th December.
The National Joint Council recognises that there were a few hitches at the two SA Champs this year, e.g. the late distribution of the entry form, unclear registration areas/people, etc. The Council will be reviewing all these issues and would like to invite you to send your constructive criticism to MatjieN@durbanchamber.co.za on where you feel we could improve our SA's.
In response to some of the letters you received:
* The Joint Council managed to secure 5 International Judges and at the last minute Mr. Peter Maxwell was unable to come due circumstances totally beyond his control. A decision was then taken to include SA judges, on a rotation basis. Each SA adjudicator was allocated a dance and the majority of the panel consisted of the four international judges, therefore the final result was determined by the majority of the panel, i.e. the international judges.
* There are structures in place which the dancers must use to complain before assuming that things are falling apart. In most cases there is a simple explanation to how thing worked out differently to how you would have liked or expected. We as SA dancers belong to a Federation or an Association, it is your right to use your respective structure to make your voice heard. It does not help much if you do not let the structures know what you would like changed, but to only communicate your dislikes to the media. NO ONE is forbidden from expressing their opinion, this would be contrary to the SA Constitution. Make your voice heard in your Federation/Association, they are there for a reason.
* The South African Amateur Championship this year was the biggest ever, and this was not expected. The National Joint Council will be better prepared in the future. There were time constraints and this issue was debated at the Council meeting and a few ideas were put on the table however, we would like to know what your thoughts are with regard to this and how best you assume we could managed our schedule if we have a larger turnout.
If there is anything else you wish to bring forward to the National Joint Council kindly send all your details to MatjieN@durbanchamber.co.za
Looking forward to your input and suggestions.
Neville Matjie
Secretary General: SA Joint
Council
Cel. +27 (0)83 659 3443
Tel. +27 (0)31 335 1028
Fax. +27 (0)83 8 659 3443
MatjieN@durbanchamber.co.za
Here are a couple of points
that justifies the above statement:
With this system, you
can imagine what happened to our Western Cape couples.
It looked like the couples were not judged on merit, if you look at the finals and the results. You had to be there unfortunately.
With all these points raised, I believe that no matter who won the the SA Champs in my eyes, they are NOT THE SA CHAMPS, because this was a FESTIVAL and not a National Championship.
The JOINT COUNCIL MUST PLEASE SORT OUT THEIR PROBLEMS.
Yours in Dancing
Hilton - Western Cape.
Ed
I've sent your feelings
to the officials, and know they will take the matter further. Let it be
said; recently there have been several complaints regarding comp chaos.
Unfortunately, thanks to the prejudice it would bestow on dancers who voice
their views through this site, Jay was forbidden to publish these articles.
I personally think it's a total DanceSport tragedy, and extremely undemocratic
that dancers are warned not to complain to me or anyone else for that matter.
Should they do so, the establishment will come down heavy on them.
At least, that's what these writers explicitly stressed. So I can imagine
what happened to the Cape couples - they must have been very hard done
by.
Hilton, in the good old days when I published the only Dancer's Mag in South Africa, i.e. before I taught DanceSport SA how to run a Dancer's website or magazine, every DanceSport official literally trembled in their trousers whenever DanceInfo SA was issued - and did we clean up the joint by publicly exposing their comp disasters?! Now we only read the soppy love story stuff - gone are the REAL TRUTHS. If you have time, this page has a few stinging tales.
Thanks for your healthy contribution
to dancing, if dancers don't say anything, then the authorities will keep
telling us how well and wonderful the comps are run, while you guys who
pay fret.
2001 IDO DANCE SHOW WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP
30 Nov - 1 Dec 2001
Riesa, Germany
SMALL GROUPS :
6th place -
the MEGARHYTHM MiBs
Pam Smith Dance Studio,
Krugersdorp
Gayle Beyer, Kirsty Mathias,
Natashia Hooman, Kirsten Scott, Ashleigh Scott
28 small group entries
7 reached the final
13th place - DANCE WITH ME
Sharon Humphrey Dance Studio,
Johannesburg
Nicola Meltzer, Martine
Benest, Bianca Gouveris, Deborah-Lee Contat
Regards, Ina
Ed
Ina, it depends on which
area you are from. From next year you can contact Mostapha in Duncan Street,
Hatfield Pretoria @ 012 342 3855.
If in the Jo' burg area there
are: