Rising dance star Uzziel Bortei inspires
For the love of dance
Dancer, Uzziel Bortei, shares his love for dance and his passion for inspiring others to dream big
At just 20 years old, Uzziel Bortei has mastered the art of telling captivating stories through dance and has already made a significant mark in the Namibian dance scene.
A seasoned dancer, instructor and administrator, Uzziel is one of the driving forces behind UCDC (Urban-Coded Dance Crew), a professional dance crew he co-founded with Elsie Jacob and Kula Rodriguez two years ago.
The members of UCDC are made up of the UNAM Dance society and another dance studio called Codesync Dance Studios.
The crew’s success has been nothing short of remarkable, winning gold at prestigious competitions such as the Namibian Dance Championship, Dance Domain, and World of Dance South Africa.
The first moves
Uzziel’s journey began at 16 when he first fell in love with dance. Starting as a hip-hop instructor at Dance Domain, he quickly established himself as a formidable talent, winning the coveted title of Grand Champion at both the Namibian Dance Championship and Dance Domain Championship.
Over the years, he has performed alongside renowned artists such as South Africa's Early B, Angola's Florito, and Namibia's Kandaha, gaining invaluable experience that has shaped his own unique style.
Before joining the UNAM Dance Society, Uzziel was part of another dance crew known as, Beat Revolution.
Drawing inspiration from dance legends like Alex Mugaviri and Kida The Great, Uzziel chose to carve his own path, developing a distinctive dance style that sets him apart from the crowd. His philosophy? "Don’t copy; create your own style."
“I've been following Kida for about 3 years before I started dancing. I chose not to copy everyone around me, but rather create my own style of dance, and so I branched out from that to create my own,” says Uzziel.
Beyond personal success, Uzziel is passionate about helping others. As an administrator for UCDC, he encourages young dancers to prioritize discipline, balance, and self-care. "Get a schedule, follow it, and give yourself time to breathe," he advises, stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
What's next?
Looking ahead, Uzziel dreams of taking UCDC to Los Angeles, representing Namibia on a global stage at the World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA).
UCDC qualified to represent Namibia In Los Angeles at WCOPA when they won gold at the Namibian Championships of the Performing Arts last year,
“I hope to inspire young people to follow their dreams,” he says. “With hard work, anything is possible.” For Uzziel, dance is more than just movement; it's about telling a story and expressing emotion.
“Dancing to me is telling a story, whether it is traumatic or happy with our bodies. Express the emotion that either some people get to see or not, with our bodies,” says Uzziel.
To him, dance is everything.
A seasoned dancer, instructor and administrator, Uzziel is one of the driving forces behind UCDC (Urban-Coded Dance Crew), a professional dance crew he co-founded with Elsie Jacob and Kula Rodriguez two years ago.
The members of UCDC are made up of the UNAM Dance society and another dance studio called Codesync Dance Studios.
The crew’s success has been nothing short of remarkable, winning gold at prestigious competitions such as the Namibian Dance Championship, Dance Domain, and World of Dance South Africa.
The first moves
Uzziel’s journey began at 16 when he first fell in love with dance. Starting as a hip-hop instructor at Dance Domain, he quickly established himself as a formidable talent, winning the coveted title of Grand Champion at both the Namibian Dance Championship and Dance Domain Championship.
Over the years, he has performed alongside renowned artists such as South Africa's Early B, Angola's Florito, and Namibia's Kandaha, gaining invaluable experience that has shaped his own unique style.
Before joining the UNAM Dance Society, Uzziel was part of another dance crew known as, Beat Revolution.
Drawing inspiration from dance legends like Alex Mugaviri and Kida The Great, Uzziel chose to carve his own path, developing a distinctive dance style that sets him apart from the crowd. His philosophy? "Don’t copy; create your own style."
“I've been following Kida for about 3 years before I started dancing. I chose not to copy everyone around me, but rather create my own style of dance, and so I branched out from that to create my own,” says Uzziel.
Beyond personal success, Uzziel is passionate about helping others. As an administrator for UCDC, he encourages young dancers to prioritize discipline, balance, and self-care. "Get a schedule, follow it, and give yourself time to breathe," he advises, stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
What's next?
Looking ahead, Uzziel dreams of taking UCDC to Los Angeles, representing Namibia on a global stage at the World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA).
UCDC qualified to represent Namibia In Los Angeles at WCOPA when they won gold at the Namibian Championships of the Performing Arts last year,
“I hope to inspire young people to follow their dreams,” he says. “With hard work, anything is possible.” For Uzziel, dance is more than just movement; it's about telling a story and expressing emotion.
“Dancing to me is telling a story, whether it is traumatic or happy with our bodies. Express the emotion that either some people get to see or not, with our bodies,” says Uzziel.
To him, dance is everything.
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