A Mitchells Plain meisie and her family say thanks to the Daily Voice and its generous readers, she was able to come out tops at a national hip hop competition.
Gabrielle Jacobs, 12, is now one step closer to representing South Africa on the international stage in Croatia next May.
In August, Gabrielle from Portlands needed R15 000 to attend the Global Dance Supreme Competition in Randburg.
The tiny hip hop dancer is part of a crew called Dynamite, which forms part of the Youth Development Academy in Mitchells Plain.
Thanks to an amazing Daily Voice reader who contributed the entire R15 000, Gabrielle could attend the competition and did everyone proud when she won her category.
Her excited mother, Nicolette Smith Jacobs, 38, says she is eternally thankful for the support of the donor, who wishes to remain anonymous.
“The [ Daily Voic e] article was the gateway to getting us there. We didn’t even have R1 and then God came through for us through you guys [ Daily Voice],” she says.
“A donor who read the story gave the R15 000 and we had fundraisers and more.
“This article did so much and I just want to let others know it is possible (for dreams to come true).”
Gabrielle showed off her moves and reigned supreme, against 16 other competitors, in the 1vs1 Next Gen category, for participants aged 9 to 12.
Nicolette says they never expected her to win.
“We didn’t expect victory, but she always wants to win and I told her to just give it her all and leave it all on the floor with her tricks,” says the overjoyed mom.
“I couldn’t even react when she won. I was sitting and crying, everyone ran up to her to congratulate her. I probably wished her last, but I truly am so proud of her.”
Gabrielle, who is a Grade 7 pupil at Montague Drive Primary School, says she worked extremely hard for her win.
“I feel happy and ecstatic. I have been dancing since the age of nine and dancing is my passion, my way of expressing myself,” she says.
“I had no words because I never expected to win. I just tried my best because I worked so hard. I practised every day at home and twice a week at the Youth Development Academy in Portlands.”
STAR: Gabrielle Jacobs, 12, of Portlands shows off her moves. Picture: Supplied
Gabrielle has now set her sights on getting her South African colours for dancing and taking part in Dance Star, an annual international competition which takes place in Croatia.