South Africa made history on 22 February 2011 in Killarney, Ireland at the annual All Ireland Irish Dance Competition when a competitor reached the finals.

Reze-Tiana Wessels, the winner of the Solo-Dance section of the National Eisteddfod Academy's National Awards in 2010, became the first South African ever to receive a "recall" at the All Ireland Irish Dance Competition.

Reze-Tiana (pronounced Reezuh-Tee-haana, (a grade 8 pupil of Randburg High School and formerly of Bryanston Parallel Medium) and 192 competitors, mostly from the US and Ireland, also England, Canada, Wales, Australia, etc, competed in the Girls 13 under 14 age group. Some 40 South Africans - of all ages - are competing at the event this year.

Reze-Tiana won the Solo-Dance section of the National Eisteddfod Academy's National Awards in 2010 and was joint winner of the Junior Dance section of the same competition in 2009.

The National Eisteddfod Academy, the NEA, funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), presents this competition as a next level of participation for top achievers in various festivals or competitions. It provides a platform where the best young performers in music, dance and drama can compete and showcase their talents.

Previous winners of this competition include Andile Ndlovu and Camille Bracher (both top achievers in the SA International Ballet Competition) and Julian Hepburn (finalist in the recent “SA got talent”). The 2011 NEA Awards Finals will be presented on 21 May 2011 at the Joburg ProMusica Theatre.

(In this picture Reze-Tiana Wessels and Mr Sershan Naidoo)