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In a practice hall in the eastern part of Jo’burg, dance instructor Lee-ché coached a team of young cheer performers through choreographed moves. After an extensive session of including fluid movements to ballroom-inspired cheer moves, the enthusiastic group gathered round Janecke to film a social media video of one of the trending South African amapiano viral moves. They were done in a couple of tries.

Expanding International Influence

Lee-ché has remained at the leading edge of the expanding global popularity of African movement and sound over the past few years. Collaborating with performer the musician since she was a teenager, he created the trending routine that accompanied hit song “Water,” which propelled the young SA artist to global stardom.

“Talking about my journey it makes me emotional to realize this is where it’s come to, and that this achievement is a brand new chapter,” Janecke expressed.

Initial Roots

He was raised in a Cape Town neighborhood and later another township, both formerly classified as “Coloured” townships. He heard his elder playing Madonna and Michael Jackson, and would dance at gatherings. At first planned to study finance after school, but succumbed to the attraction of performance, in which he has learned informally.

Artistic Path

By 2011, he delved into femininity in dance and accepted himself as gay. He co-founded a performance group, SA’s first group of male dancers focused on vogue and whack, styles that originated in the underground dance community in the past decades.

His team, which evolved to include all genders and a fashion stylist, joined numerous broadcast showcases. Yet, it placed as runner-up in all but the last one it entered, something Janecke linked to South Africa not yet being prepared for openly LGBTQ+ dancers.

In 2013, the group was attacked at a minibus taxi rank as they headed home from performing at an LGBTQ+ celebration. A group encircled their taxi, yelling and shaking the vehicle from back and forth, until the conductor finally urged them to break up. “It was:‘Well, this is the end for you,’” shared Janecke.

Major Moments

Eventually, the group dissolved, as Janecke started getting booked individually, choreographing the TV program a popular show for an extended period. He was contracted by the artist’s initial team to work with her. “I [felt]: ‘She has something about this artist.’ I can see it in the expression,” he expressed.

Fast-forward to 2025, a practice session was just shortly after the a major awards show. Tyla took home an award for Push2Start. The visual was choreographed by him, who was also nominated for best choreography.

It represented the pinnacle of over two years of working with Tyla worldwide on events like The Voice finale to the a music awards show and a major event. Janecke also designed US and UK shows for an artist and instructed movement sessions at a dance studio, the studio of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in the city, and at a Los Angeles venue.

Next Plans

“In my view, the close of that period is the industry acknowledgment,” Janecke said. He was on set when he learned he had been shortlisted: “I immediately became emotional. It overwhelmed me, I believe I remain touched, because … I sat up, 3am, to watch the VMAs live. I felt convinced that this is where my future awaits.”

Using his hands as he spoke, standing to perform steps. “It is essential to take the correct actions to continue communicating and building this brand out there, separate from the names linked to it.”

He listed his goals – securing a stateside manager, partnering with names such as pop stars to Beyoncé and Madonna, and entering the K-pop market, commercials and theater. He referenced a peer a talented creator as representing the standard he knows he is capable of attaining.

Remaining Loyal

However, Janecke was assertive he would maintain his partnership with Tyla: “She is like family forever … She remains committed about making songs and really changing the dynamic of the world.”

Even as Janecke voiced disappointment that his home country was missing the structured and seamless professional conditions of the America, he said he was true to his origins at heart. “My African dream achieved a movement done by the international community … therefore, in my view, my aspiration is an African dream.”