EC captures world stage

Bronze, silver and gold medals and overall world champion honours are awarded to the top performers in dancing, singing, acting, modelling, instrumentals and variety arts in the junior (15 years old and under) and senior (aged 16 and over) age categories, either as soloists or groups.

Suiyen Smith from Jeffreys Bay won a string of medals while Ashley Behrens, from East London, won the senior grand champion dance award.

Daniah de Villiers from Humansdorp won the junior acting grand champion award.

She then teamed up with her sister, Jedijah, to win the vocal junior group grand champion award.

Delighted Performing Arts Eastern Cape director Marcelle Sharp said: "We are super proud of team South Africa and especially of all the performers from the Eastern Cape who excelled.

"Suiyen Smith from Jeffreys Bay did really well with one gold, three silver and one bronze medal in the acting categories she participated in.

"Ashley did really well in all his categories and didn't only dance, but modelled as well.

"Not one person that participated at the event was a loser. They all deserved to be there and we are proud to say they come from South Africa.

"The competitors went head to head in an 'Olympic-style' competition against contestants from 40 other countries.

"They got an opportunity to compete internationally and that alone tells us that talent in South Africa is not far behind," Sharp said.