The Pulse of Africa: Kaweesi and Vee Join the WDSF Breaking Division Ahead of Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games
In an exclusive conversation, the newly appointed WDSF Breaking Division members share their vision, the significance of representing Africa, and the opportunities the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar will bring for the continent’s vibrant Breaking community.
The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) strengthens its Breaking Division with the addition of Mark “Kaweesi” from Uganda and Elvina “Vee” Da Silva from South Africa. Their inclusion marks a significant step for African Breaking as the continent prepares to host the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics in Dakar later this year.
Kaweesi, East Africa’s first licensed WDSF Breaking judge, has participated in and adjudicated over 350 Breaking events worldwide and is a leading educator and community facilitator in Uganda.
Vee, a WDSF Level A Breaking judge and founder of The Rhythm Factory and The Breaking Factory in South Africa, has extensive international judging experience and leads initiatives that develop young dancers and empower women through dance.
With the excitement surrounding this announcement, the WDSF had the opportunity to sit down with both of them to discuss what their inclusion means for the Division and the importance of giving the African Breaking community a voice on the global stage.
Honouring African Breaking and Its Global Recognition
The announcement of Kaweesi and Vee joining the WDSF Breaking Division was met with a mixture of pride, gratitude, and profound responsibility. For Vee, the news was not only a personal honour but also a recognition of the African continent within a global structure. She reflected, “It felt encouraging to know that Africa is being included and recognised within a global structure. At the same time, it gave me an enormous sense of responsibility to represent the communities in Breaking across the continent.”
Kaweesi shared a similar sentiment, describing his feelings as “honoured, humbled and responsible”. He emphasised the unique nature of the team he was joining and the trust placed in him, noting the importance of contributing to the greater good while collaborating with a diverse, international group. For both, their inclusion represents a personal milestone but also a historic moment for the African Breaking community, signalling that their voices and experiences will now be part of the global conversation.
Representing Africa on the Global Stage
Joining the Breaking Division carries profound personal and cultural significance. Vee explained that representing Africa is about “carrying the stories of many communities across the continent with me.” She highlighted the resilience and creativity of African Breaking communities, many of which have had to establish their own spaces, organise their own events, and support one another through shared effort. Her role, she emphasised, is to ensure that African perspectives are fully included in the global conversation and to help create fair pathways for African B-Boys and B-Girls to connect with the wider world.
Kaweesi echoed these sentiments, framing his inclusion as both recognition and responsibility. “On a personal level, this means recognition and impact of the consistent efforts I have been putting in for more than 17 years now. It also means a huge sense of responsibility to serve and contribute to something bigger than myself,” he said. Together, their voices underline the importance of African leadership within Breaking and the value of having the continent’s experiences and perspectives represented on the international stage.
“Representing Africa means carrying the stories of many communities across the continent with me.” Elvina “Vee” Da Silva said
Africa’s Growing Breaking Scene
Both highlighted the remarkable growth of Breaking across Africa in recent years, driven largely by the determination and creativity of local communities. Vee emphasised that much of this expansion has been community-led, with dancers establishing their own events, training spaces, and mentorship programmes. She explained, “Travel, funding and currency differences can make it difficult for many African breakers to participate internationally. But instead of waiting for opportunities, many communities have built their own ecosystems. That’s what makes the African scene strong and rich in culture.”
“What makes it unique is that much of this growth has come directly from the communities themselves.” Vee said. “Africa has never waited for permission to build culture, we’ve always built our own and at the same time, we have always been a source of culture for the world. “
Kaweesi reflected on the continent’s earlier stagnation, noting that for many years only a handful of countries had slightly developed Breaking scenes. He described how initiatives such as the AfroBreak concepts originating in Ghana have sparked renewed momentum and provided clear pathways for growth. “Now, Africa’s Breaking scene has gained clarity, a realistic sense of direction and practical methods to nurture, grow and build the future,” he said.
Together, their perspectives paint a picture of a vibrant and resilient community, creating opportunities from within and asserting its place on an international scale.
Empowering Youth and Strengthening Communities
Breaking is far more than a dance, for both of them it is a powerful tool for personal growth and community empowerment. Drawing on his own journey, Kaweesi described how Breaking transformed his life. Growing up in a disadvantaged environment, he recalled being labelled as “the school dropout, the homeless kid or the orphan.” Through teaching and participating in Breaking, those negative labels were replaced by recognition and respect: “I started being called ‘Mark the B-Boy’ or ‘Mark the Breaking teacher.’”
This personal transformation informs his broader vision for the role of Breaking in Africa. Kaweesi believes it can provide young people with a sense of belonging, confidence, exposure to new opportunities, and the ability to contribute positively to their communities. Through mentorship, teaching, and cultural engagement, Breaking fosters not only individual growth but also stronger, more resilient communities, creating pathways for productive participation, leadership, and social contribution.
“I believe Breaking can play a vital role in giving young people a sense of belonging, strong confidence in themselves, vision beyond their present realities, exposure, meaningful connections as individuals” Kaweesi stated.
A Platform for Growth and Mentorship
Vee emphasised that Breaking provides young people with more than just a creative outlet; it is a space for self-discovery and personal development. Through the practice of Breaking, dancers learn discipline, respect, creativity, and a strong sense of community. She explained, “For many young people it becomes more than just a dance. It becomes a support system. Through Breaking they learn confidence, leadership and the value of sharing knowledge.”
Central to this empowerment is the culture of mentorship inherent in Breaking. Built on the principle of “each one teach one,” the practice encourages experienced dancers to guide and uplift newer members of the community. According to Vee, this approach not only develops individual skills but also strengthens the wider African Breaking ecosystem, fostering resilience, collaboration, and sustainable growth.
Why Representation Matters
Mark and Elvina both emphasised the vital importance of African perspectives being represented in international structures like the WDSF Breaking Division.
Vee explained that “representation matters because different regions experience the culture in their own ways. When African voices are part of these conversations, it helps create a more balanced and inclusive global ecosystem. It allows the realities of African communities to be understood and considered.” She highlighted that Africa has much to contribute to the global Breaking culture, and that recognition of these contributions is essential for a truly inclusive international community.
Kaweesi underlined Africa’s foundational role in the development of Breaking, pointing to influences such as Capoeira from Angola, African music, and movement traditions that have shaped the dance worldwide. He also noted the demographic significance of the continent: with 18% of the world’s population and 60% under the age of 25, Africa represents a critical voice in planning and shaping the future of Breaking. “Having African perspective and experience in international structures helps in impactful planning,” he said, emphasising that inclusion is not only symbolic but also strategic for the growth of the global Breaking movement.
Dakar 2026 and Opportunities Ahead
The upcoming 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar represents a pivotal moment for Breaking on the African continent. Vee emphasised the significance of hosting such a high-profile event, explaining that it “shines light on the raw talents and potential on the continent both to the population within Africa and outside.”
She noted that the visibility achieved by Breaking at the Paris 2024 Olympics demonstrated the sport’s capacity to reach global audiences, and she anticipates that Dakar will provide recognition for African B-Boys and B-Girls, as well as for existing local structures and the wider scene.
Beyond exposure, Vee highlighted the practical opportunities the Youth Olympic Games could create: consistent sponsorship, funding for local activities, collaboration with governing bodies, and increased access to schools and training institutions.
She also acknowledged a cultural barrier: many young African breakers are still minors, and families often view Breaking as an uncertain career path. The preparation and visibility of the Youth Olympic Games, she suggests, could shift these perceptions, demonstrating that young B-Boys and B-Girls are part of a structured, progressive, and internationally recognised pathway.
A Message to the Next Generation of African Breakers
Looking towards the future, both share a clear message for young B-Boys and B-Girls across Africa who aspire to compete on the international stage. For Vee, the journey begins with staying grounded in the cultural foundations of Breaking while remaining committed to personal growth. She emphasised that “Breaking is not only about competing, it’s about community, identity and expression,” encouraging young dancers to keep learning, connecting and supporting each other.
She also highlighted the immense talent present across the continent, noting that Africa’s creative potential is increasingly being recognised around the world.
Kaweesi reinforced this perspective with a call for focus and perseverance. While dreaming of international competition is an important starting point, he believes sustained effort and strategic collaboration are essential.
“Watching and dreaming is a good place to start, now focus, put in consistent efforts to get better,” he said.
Stressing the importance of building meaningful connections and working creatively to overcome challenges. With international opportunities still limited for many African dancers, he encouraged young breakers to remain patient, resourceful and collaborative as they pursue their goals on the global stage.
Strengthening the Future of Breaking in Africa
Looking ahead, both identify several priorities that could further strengthen the Breaking ecosystem across Africa.
For Vee, education and infrastructure will play a central role in supporting the next phase of development. She highlighted the importance of building stronger training programmes, expanding mentorship opportunities, and investing in judging education and event organisation. According to Vee, collaboration between African countries will also be essential to ensure sustainable growth.
“Collaboration between African countries will be key so that we can continue growing together and sharing knowledge across the continent.”, as she explained
Kaweesi also pointed to structural challenges that continue to affect the development of the scene, particularly the difficulty of mobility across the continent. Travel between countries can be both costly and time-consuming, often requiring long journeys simply to attend events and exchanges.
Reflecting on his own experience organising Breaking activities in East Africa, he recalled the dedication required from practitioners who regularly travelled long distances to participate. At the same time, he emphasised the importance of stable funding, regular high-quality events, exchanges with experienced teachers and facilitators, and closer collaboration with governing structures.
“Consistent exchanges with quality teachers, stable funding and sponsorship, and regular good quality events are some of the priority areas that could help strengthen the Breaking ecosystem in Africa,” Kaweesi said.
Building Bridges
As they step into their roles within the WDSF Breaking Division, both share a vision that extends beyond their own regions, focusing on strengthening connections within the global community.
The role is fundamentally about connection and opportunity, as Vee commented, describing her ambition as “building bridges, bridges between Africa and the rest of the world, and between communities that want to grow and connect.” By helping create fairer opportunities and clearer pathways for African B-Boys and B-Girls to access international platforms, she believes the entire global Breaking ecosystem can benefit.
Kaweesi’s vision centres on guiding and supporting the next generation. Reflecting on his own journey into Breaking at the age of 18, he highlighted how the culture transformed his life and shaped his purpose. Through his role, he hopes to inspire and nurture young dancers while encouraging meaningful engagement with the culture. “I would like to see my role reflecting intentional involvement, meaningful engagement and growth while building our people and communities through this dance that we love,” he said, emphasising the importance of developing individuals and communities within the global Breaking movement.
Women in Breaking Leadership
Vee’s inclusion in the Breaking Division also carries particular significance in terms of representation and leadership. As the second woman to join the Division, she hopes her presence can help open doors for more women. Reflecting on the moment, she acknowledged the historical imbalance in leadership spaces within the culture.
“Leadership spaces in Breaking have historically been male dominated, so moments like this remind us that progress is possible,” she said.
For Vee, the milestone is especially meaningful as a woman of colour from Africa. She hopes her role will encourage more B-Girls to step forward, not only as dancers but also as leaders, organisers and decision-makers within the culture. “I hope it encourages more B-Girls to step into leadership roles and to know that their voices, their stories and perspectives matter,” he added, highlighting the importance of diverse voices shaping the future of Breaking.
Honouring the Past, Building the Future
Reflecting on this moment, both emphasised that the continued growth of Breaking must remain rooted in the culture’s core values of community, respect and shared knowledge. Across Africa, they noted, countless dancers have been developing the culture through passion, creativity and resilience, often building opportunities from the ground up. At the same time, she stressed the importance of acknowledging those who laid the foundations.
“It’s important for us to recognise and honour those who came before us, the pioneers and leaders who laid the foundation. Without them, many of us would not be here today.” Vee said.
Looking ahead, they both believe the focus should be on creating meaningful pathways for young B-Boys and B-Girls. As Breaking continues to evolve globally, these developments provide opportunities for dancers to access platforms that once seemed out of reach. Ultimately, they believe, the culture will continue to grow through collaboration and mutual support.
“At the end of the day, Breaking is about people. The culture moves forward when we support each other and share knowledge.”
A New Chapter for African Breaking
As Breaking continues to grow across continents, the inclusion of Mark “Kaweesi” and Elvina “Vee” Da Silva in WDSF Breaking Division reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that the global ecosystem of DanceSport evolves with representation, collaboration and shared opportunity.
Bojin, Head of the WDSF Breaking Division and WDSF Presidium Member for Breaking, highlighted the significance of this moment, stating that:
“We are excited to strengthen the connection with the growing African scene. With the Youth Olympic Games on the horizon, this is a powerful moment to reach and inspire our next generation of B-Boys and B-Girls. Through their experience, leadership, and passion for the culture, we hope to open new doors for young dancers across the continent. Each one teach one!”
With Senegal preparing to host the Youth Olympics in Dakar this year the moment paves the way for stronger community connections and fresh pathways for emerging B-Boys and B-Girls to thrive.
As Shawn Tay, WDSF President, noted when reflecting on the significance of this development:
“Breaking has always been a culture built on connection and exchange. Welcoming voices from across Africa into the Breaking Division helps ensure that the future of our discipline is shaped by the diversity and creativity that define it.”
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