The handover took place on Friday (14 August) and was led by Dancing Queens committee members Angela Kent, Donna James, Tracey Russell and Leoni Viljoen.
The remarkable amount was raised through Flashback – Big Hits Dance Experience 2026, which brought more than 40 local women to the stage at Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre for three sold-out performances from 30 July to 1 August.
Despite being one of the coldest weekends experienced in the Lowveld, audiences arrived in full force and filled the outdoor theatre with warmth, laughter, applause and extraordinary energy. The overwhelming support helped make Flashback the Dancing Queens’ biggest and most successful production to date.
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While the music, choreography, costumes and performances created an unforgettable experience, the true success of the show lies in the difference the funds will make to vulnerable families in the White River community.
Feed The Need founder and chief operator Cynthia Stroebel accepted the donation on behalf of the 136 registered families currently supported by the organisation.
“This donation will make a meaningful difference to the families who rely on Feed The Need,” said Stroebel. “We are incredibly grateful to the Dancing Queens, their sponsors and every member of the community who supported the show. A portion of the funding will be used to purchase much-needed catering equipment, as well as ingredients for the food parcels we distribute to families.”
Feed The Need has been assisting vulnerable families in the White River community since the Covid 19 pandemic. The organisation prepares and distributes freshly cooked meals every Monday and provides dry-food parcels containing essential groceries to help feed a family of four for approximately four to five days.
The organisation also collects and distributes clothing, blankets, utensils and other essential items to community members in need.
For the Dancing Queens, their contribution is the culmination of six months of rehearsals, planning, sponsorship drives, ticket sales, marketing, costumes, logistics and countless volunteer hours contributed by the performers and organising committee.
“We are absolutely thrilled, not only by the turnout and the incredible response to Flashback, but by the amount we have been able to hand over to Feed The Need,” said Angela Kent, founder of the Dancing Queens.
“This is what the Dancing Queens are ultimately about: everyday women stepping outside their comfort zones, bringing their community together and using the experience to make a genuine difference. Knowing that our efforts will help Feed The Need continue supporting 136 local families makes every rehearsal, every late night and every challenge worthwhile.”
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The R115 000 donation marks the third consecutive year in which the Dancing Queens have raised more than R100 000 for a local charitable organisation. Collectively, the productions have now generated a total of R335 000 for community causes over the last three years.
The Dancing Queens extended their heartfelt appreciation to every local business that contributed sponsorship, products, services, time or expertise to the production.
They also thanked the White River community for once again filling the venue, supporting the performers and demonstrating the extraordinary impact that can be achieved when a community rallies behind a shared purpose.
“Without our sponsors and the people who buy tickets and support us year after year, none of this would be possible,” Angela said. “The achievement of raising R115 000 belongs to everyone who helped bring Flashback to life. Together, we turned three evenings of entertainment into something that will continue making a difference long after the final curtain.”
