By Selloane Ntshonyane
- Tom London runs free dance challenges and classes for kids in Soweto, helping them stay away from trouble through music.
- Three lucky children won school supplies in his latest dance competition, with more chances to win coming up.
A Soweto dancer who lost his parents when he was young is now helping children find their way through music and dance.
Tom London, whose real name is Thomas Gumede, runs Soweto’s Finest, a dance group and teaching centre at Newtown Junction Mall in Johannesburg.
On Sunday, he is hosting the final dance challenge for his new song Indod’engalali, featuring Bassie, Robot Boii, Afriikan Papi, and Just Bheki.
Three children who won the last challenge received stationery and school shoes. London says anyone can join the challenge, no matter their age.
At Soweto’s Finest, kids can learn to dance, practise their moves, and even try being a DJ.
“At the hub, we are focusing on giving back to the kids,” he said. They teach young people about the entertainment business “so that they understand how to speak and represent themselves, but also, most importantly, the code of conduct and how you always need to find a way to reinvent yourself.”
London found his escape on the school dance floor. He got his dancing talent from his late mother, who was also a dancer.
“I think if I was not a choreographer, I think by today I would have probably been involved in drugs or jail because when you grow up in Soweto your chances of making it without having to find yourself in these situations is very difficult. We don’t have resources, we don’t have connections, and it’s worse when you don’t have parents,” he said.
“I love giving back with challenges, and I love giving back in teaching kids because I was once saved by it, so it only makes sense to save other people.”
London plans to release an EP at the end of February 2025 under Soweto’s Finest Entertainment record label.
Fans can catch him at Emthunzini Lifestyle on 1 March and at the Lyric Theatre on 10 May.
In April, he’ll run dance classes and shows at the Rand Show Dance Derby, featuring his group and other artists.
Pictured above: Some of Soweto’s Finest.
Source: sowetosfinestdancestudio_
