Local dancer sensation Yarona Tumelo, has captivated the nation by winning the Red Bull Dance Your Style Botswana 2024 National Final in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Gaborone’s Park 27 on Saturday the 21st of September 2024. Her victory means she will represent Botswana at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final in Mumbai, India, this November.
This big break comes after Yarona auditioned just a week before the final at the BTV Auditorium in Gaborone, having heard about the auditions from friends who were excited to hear the Red Bull Dance Your Style had returned after last year’s activations that she had missed. “When I heard that Red bull Dance Your Style was back again and this time for a Botswana champion who will get to compete internationally, the thought let me take that chance immediately,” she recalls.

First of the nation
The home soil glory for Yarona followed a series of auditions that took place across Botswana, and on the day of the national final, she competed among the top 16. In the national final, her blend of versatility across hip hop and amapiano styles stood out in the high-energy dance battles, earning her the crowd’s vote.
“Words cannot even describe how I feel right now. I am looking forward to what the future will bring for me in dance, and I appreciate Red Bull so much for bringing such an opportunity to Botswana.”
Botswana to the world
Now, with the global finals being only two months away, Yarona is excited to continue with the battle spirit alongside other international champions “I can’t wait to witness the talent from around the world and showcase my own talent on global stage. I have never travelled anywhere else in the world outside of Botswana, except for South Africa so I am super excited about seeing India.”
The Red Bull Dance Your Style competition is renowned for its unique format, where dancers are required to freestyle to unexpected music tracks spanning genres like hip-hop, funk, and pop, with no choreography and no judges—only the audience’s reaction decides the winner.
A Rising Star to Watch
Yarona’s win is a victory for her, her community and nation.
Yarona’s journey from the streets of Gabarone to representing Botswana internationally proves that with talent and the willingness to take a chance, anything is possible. Her inspiring story and undeniable talent are sure to make her a crowd favourite when she competes in Mumbai on 9 November 2024.