Soweto, South Africa
Tebza Diphehlo
Teboho 'Tebza' Diphehlo
A dancer, teacher and choreographer from Soweto, specialising in urban South African indigenous styles — Pantsula and Amapiano.
- Amapiano / Pantsula
- ACE 2026
- Returning instructor
Teaching: Amapiano · Amapiano / Pantsula · Pantsula — three classes
In their own words
“He is more than a dancer — he is a cultural storyteller.”
Profile
About Tebza Diphehlo
Tebza Diphehlo is a world-acclaimed dancer, teacher and choreographer from Soweto, specialising in urban South African indigenous styles — Pantsula and Amapiano. The first South African champion of Red Bull Dance Your Style, he has toured over 20 countries and teaches across Europe, Asia and Africa.
He is a passionate advocate for Pantsula and Amapiano — the dynamic, expressive street dance styles rooted in South African township culture. He embodies the rhythm, precision and storytelling that define these art forms. With a deep appreciation for their history and evolution, Tebza is committed to preserving their legacy while pushing creative boundaries.
ACE 2026 · 14–19 October 2026
Classes with Tebza Diphehlo
9:15 PM – 10:45 PM
Amapiano
Drills & Choreography
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Amapiano / Pantsula
Drills & Choreography
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Pantsula
Drills & Choreography
Photography
Tebza Diphehlo in frame
Career
Selected credits
15 credits across 4 areas
Training
- Started dancing in primary school; reached intermediate level in 2005 with Shakers & Movers, a Pantsula dance organisation providing training in Soweto.
- Turned professional in 2012, after a university application to study education was declined.
- Mentored by Itumeleng Hlapane of BEAM (Business, Education, Arts and Mentorship); later joined BASA (Business and Arts South Africa).
- Selected for the Red Bull BC One dance camp in Cape Town, 2015.
Competition
- First-ever South African champion of Red Bull Dance Your Style.
- Represented Africa at the world final, La Villette, Paris, 2019.
- Featured in numerous South African music videos and TV commercials.
Theatre
- Danced for Via Katlehong, touring 20+ countries with Via Kanana, choreographed by Gregory Maqoma.
- Performed at Maison de la Danse (Lyon), La Villette (Paris), Pavillon Noir (Aix-en-Provence) and Théâtre Charles Dullin (Chambéry).
- Assistant choreographer to Gregory Maqoma on Retrace & Retract, premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival, 2021.
- Afrikan Party — choreographed by Oulouy, via a Barcelona residency with Africa Moment; toured European cities.
- Freedom The Musical — Aubrey Sekhabi, South African State Theatre.
- Knots and Codes — Julia Zenzie Burnham.
Teaching
Founder of the crew Intellectuals Pantsula, now a dance organisation based in Naledi, Soweto, teaching ages 7 through adult alongside a dance-fitness programme. He also runs an online programme, The Tebza Effect.
- Studios — Juste Debout Dance School (Paris) · Pa Za Pa (Argenteuil) · Motion Lab (Toulouse) · Studio MRG (Paris) · Lux Studio (Paris) · Dans6t (Tarbes) · Roots Studio (Barcelona) · Feeling Centre de Danse (Pantin) · Oyofe Studio (Barcelona) · Infinity Danse (Lyon) · Soweto's Finest Dance Studio · Dance Unlimited (Joburg Theatre)
- Festivals — Oyefe Dance Festival (Barcelona) · BeAfrika Dance Camp (Paris) · Afreeka Best Dance Camp (Paris) · Afro Drip Dance Camp (Amsterdam) · Dangsters Dance Camp (Thailand) · Amapiano Dance Camp (Johannesburg) · RasSup Dance Festival (Hong Kong) · Afro Vibes Festival (Lausanne) · Helsinki Afro Dance Festival
