Help Zaiden and Kaylin Lottering realise their dream of competing in the Netherlands

Ballroom dancers, Zaiden Lottering and his aunt, Kaylin Lottering, are seeking support to take part in a dance competition in the Netherlands later this year.

The two are experienced ballroom dancers from the Woodstock-based Foxtrot dance studio.

Zaiden, 16, from Woodstock, is currently at Queens Park High and his aunt, Kaylin, 22, is formerly from Woodstock, though now stays in Maitland.

They are each seeking R70,000 to attend the Dutch Open Championship 2025 in Assen, Netherlands, which takes place from Monday, November 3 until Sunday, November 9.

Zaiden’s mother and Kaylin’s sister, Melanie Hendricks, said that the R70,000 each that is needed for the trip is to help cover their flights, accommodation, workshops, entry fees, as well as arranging their passports and visas.

Ms Hendricks, who currently works in a dairy shop in Salt River, said it is difficult to raise the funds.

“On one hand, you fully support them and you want to make this dream a reality, but on the other hand you still have to juggle your daily expenses like crèche, school, rent, groceries, and then some unforeseen expense pops up, and sometimes you may even feel tired, overwhelmed, and despondent,” she said.

Ms Hendricks said she is proud of her son and sister, who will take part in this dance competition.

“They have come far from junior dancers to novice dancers. It takes guts to put yourself out there, especially in a foreign country. It's an opportunity not only to travel but to experience something that they're so passionate about, to further nurture their talents and dreams,” she said.

Zaiden, who has been dancing for the past nine years, said it has always been his dream to compete internationally.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am grabbing it with both hands and feet,” he said.

Kaylin has been dancing for the past 12 years.

“It's always been a means of expression for me. It's my therapy. It's taught me so much more than just dancing; discipline, determination, courage, and a lot of patience,” she said.

Kaylin is currently unemployed, though she said she does try to sell clothing items online on the side to make an income. She said it will be a dream come true to compete in this dance competition.

“Growing up in a middle-income household, you don't see yourself going further than your pockets allow you to go and having the opportunity to travel overseas, to compete internationally, is something you simply can't put into words,” she said.

Kaylin says she and her nephew will have to work hard to raise these funds.

“We have to host even more fundraisers than those that fund only themselves. Then there's finding a good but also affordable venue, and hiring equipment and entertainment,” she said.

Their next joint fundraiser will be a High Tea held at Queens Park High, Balfour Street, Woodstock on Saturday, July 26, from 2pm.

If anyone would like to support their next fundraiser and their future fundraising, please call Ms Hendricks on 081 875 4148 or email her at melanielot@gmail.com. For further information, you can also call Kaylin at 078 333 9236.