African Renaissance Dancers is a dance group from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The members of the African Renaissance Dancers are all school age, ranging from 7 to 16 years old. They perform the traditional Kwela Dance that originated in the Townships. Kwela was usually performed by elders in the olden days, but the African Renaissance Dancers have adopted the twisting-style dance into their younger generation. They also perform the Pantsula Dance, which is a street dance with lots of quick leg and foot movements. The dancers perform to recorded music of South African musicians, primarily Mango Groove, an internationally known band. They translate the songs through dance, interpreting the lyrics through body movement. Each dance tells a story of South African history, folklore and culture.

The African Renaissance Dancers group was founded in 2001 by Florence Melese. As a resident of Walmer Location, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Miss Melese saw the need for programming activities for children after school hours. Her original aim and objective for forming this dance group was to keep the children away from street accidents, protect them from abuse, and keep them from crime. The program also provides opportunities to the youth of South Africa. As members of the African Renaissance Dancers, South African children have become professional performers with the opportunity to see the world through their performances.

After six months of training and choreographing, the African Renaissance Dancers first started performing on the streets and received donations to sustain the group?s program. Now, the African Renaissance Dancers perform regularly at the airport restaurant every Friday afternoon, and at the beaches of Port Elizabeth. They have performed for the people of South Africa as well as international tourists from around the world in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Grahamstown, in addition to their hometown of Port Elizabeth. They have been awarded trophies and diplomas for their dance performances, and they were handchosen by the festival producer, Quint Davis, Damon J. Batiste ? President of the New Orlenas South African Connection & James Boders A Board member of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, when they entered a showcase competition for a chance to perform at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in the United States.