CAPE TOWN – A 10-year-old hip-hop dancer from Portland, Mitchells Plain, is preparing to represent South Africa at an international dance competition in New York next March, after overcoming early-learning challenges that once affected her confidence at school.
Xiniah Lewin earned her place on the international stage shortly after her birthday in January, marking a significant milestone for the young performer who found her rhythm through dance after struggling with undiagnosed eyesight difficulties.
Her mother, single parent Chantal Lewin, has launched a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign to raise R120 000 for travel, accommodation and competition costs, with the trip’s total expenses reaching closer to R195 000.
“This opportunity means the world to her,” she said. “It’s not just about a competition; it’s about recognising her effort and giving her the chance to stand confidently in who she is.”
Overcoming early challenges
During her early school years Xiniah experienced persistent learning difficulties that were not immediately understood. While her twin sister progressed with ease she struggled in ways that gradually affected her confidence.
“It was heartbreaking to watch,” her mother recalled. “She was trying just as hard, but without the support she needed, and she began to believe she wasn’t good enough.”
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The turning point came when Xiniah’s eyesight difficulties were identified and corrected through prescription lenses.
“Once she got her lenses it was as if everything had changed overnight,” her mother related. “Her confidence came back, and she finally started to see herself the way I had always seen her.”
With improved vision dance became more than an activity; it became a place of safety and self-expression. Last year Xiniah began dancing at First Step Dance School, where her natural rhythm and work ethic quickly stood out.
“When she dances the world stops feeling overwhelming,” Lewin pointed out. “On that floor she isn’t defined by struggle; she’s focused, strong, and completely in control.”
Building resilience through adversity
Raised by her mother in a period when her father was absent due to substance dependency, and who is now in recovery, Xiniah learnt resilience early on, a quality that now defines her presence on stage.
“She dances with purpose,” Lewin said. “Not for attention, but because it’s how she claims her space in the world.”
That determination was recognised when Xiniah was selected to represent South Africa in New York, a moment her mother described as deeply emotional.
“I felt an overwhelming sense of pride,” she said. “It was as if all the difficult moments finally made sense. I realised those years weren’t wasted; they were preparing her for this.”
Financial hurdles remain
The BackaBuddy campaign has raised more than R7 000 to date with support from four donors, but significant funding challenges remain. As a single mother Lewin must also fund her own travel to ensure her daughter’s safety.
“As a single mum the financial weight is heavy,” she said. “I’ll cut every comfort if it means being there for her. My priority is to stand by her side.”
Her greatest fear is not Xiniah’s performance, but that lack of finances could limit the opportunity.
“She has already done the hard work. I don’t want money to be the thing that stops her now.”
Community support crucial
For the Lewin family the campaign represents a belief that potential should not be limited by circumstances.
“I reached out because I refuse to let her story end in doubt,” Xiniah’s mother said. “This isn’t just a trip; it’s about showing her that she belongs and people believe in her.
“Every person who supports her is reminding her that the world can be kind, and she is capable of more than she ever imagined.”
To support Xiniah’s journey to New York, visit her BackaBuddy campaign.
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