Latest dance craze arrives with a bang

The latest global dance sensation has arrived in the town.

Its biggest devotees are the members of the Laburnum Centre for over-50s. They love the moves based around a South Africa war dance.

Few can beat 86-year-old Ann Ilsley, of Littlehampton, for her keenness.

She is the oldest member of the centre’s weekly Bokwa session. But she still goes through all the movements to exercise her heart and burn off 800-1,200 calories.

She said: “This is good because it keeps my body moving. I really enjoy it. I love to keep fit and I want to exercise my joints and muscles.”

The Thursday morning sessions, led by Danni Frankland at the Lyon Street centre, are just getting started.

She said: “This is the only Bokwa class in Bognor that I know about.

“Bokwa is a cardio workout which can be taken at various paces.

“It uses steps, kicks and punches to form Bokwa letters and shapes. The moves are based around light boxing steps, the capoeira war dance and Kwaito dancing.”

Created by the South African born street dancer Paul Mavi, the name Bokwa is a combination of two words ‘BO’ representing light boxing and ‘KWA’ the traditional dance Kwaito. About 12 dancers attended the pilot and initial sessions. They were aged from 63 upwards.