Theresa May’s “Maybot” Moves Take South Africa by Storm
In what could only be described as a political rendition of a viral TikTok trend, British Prime Minister Theresa May slipped onto the dance floor of Cape Town’s streets and gave the world a glimpse of the leader’s less polished side.
The Dances
- On Tuesday, a rippling crowd of schoolchildren welcomed May into South Africa’s festive vibe.
- She joined in with a shaky robot‑style routine, reminiscent of former England striker Peter Crouch, before pausing to scan the camera and tighten her pose.
- The clip that caught everyone’s eye quickly spread across social media, sparking a flurry of memes and jokes.
Public Reactions
- Daily Telegraph called it “the exact moment where she loses the will to live,” a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to the escalating online teasing.
- The Sun drew comparisons to John Travolta, dubbing her “Mayin’ Alive!” and describing the performance as “toe‑curling.”
- Daily Mail labelled her dance a classic Maybot, praising the effort while noting the robotic vibe.
- The Guardian sketched an image of a “wobbly fridge” in their front‑page coverage.
- A professional dancer, James Jordan, humorously awarded May two stars out of ten for an effort that was “like a bad mum dancing.”
Professional Feedback
- Dance choreographer Arlene Phillips offered the PM gentle advice: “Relax, swing those hips, and, most importantly, look comfortable.”
- Media mixups notwithstanding, many appreciated the candidness—she was not a highly polished athlete but simply a woman in a crowded plaza sharing a beat with strangers.
Will She Launch a Dance Career?
- When asked about a future in dance, May humorously shrunk back, saying, “I think the chances of Strictly Come Dancing calling are pretty minimal.”
- She added a shrug: “Everybody was dancing. It was great excitement.”
In the end, May’s inadvertent viral dance proved that even a leader can step up and step onto a stage—albeit one found on a pavement, flanked by children and cameras. Whoever knew politics could be so lively?
