“Live Your Life. You Only Live Once”: Remembering Iconic House of Mizrahi’s Dominique Pienaar

Dominique ‘Doma’ Pienaar, a member of the Iconic House of Mizrahi South African Chapter, has passed away. He is remembered by his fellow house members for his quiet confidence, his fearless spirit and his ability to make anyone feel like family.

The 26-year-old from Delareyville, North West, passed away on the 8th of January and was laid to rest in a funeral service on the 17th of January, surrounded by his loved ones.

Pienaar’s passing comes shortly after the public announcement of the formation of the Iconic House of Mizrahi South African Chapter in December 2025.

The Iconic House of Mizrahi is a renowned ballroom house founded by the legendary ballroom voguer Andre Mizrahi in 1992 in New York City. The house has several international chapters, with the South African chapter being its most recent.

MambaOnline spoke to the house about Pienaar’s life and the impact he has left.

Adrian Draai, also known as AD Mizrahi, the overseer of the Iconic House of Mizrahi’s South African Chapter, recounted meeting Pienaar and admiring his unapologetic authenticity.

“I met Doma in 2021 at work, Advanced Assessments and Training, where we work with underprivileged youth and provide them with upskilling in the form of learnership and skills programmes. One of the memories I cherish most about Dominique was his fearless openness in spaces where many of us feel pressured to shrink ourselves. In corporate settings, he never hesitated to be the first on the dance floor or to express his femininity with confidence and joy,” he shared.

Draai added, “His authenticity gave me permission to show up more fully as myself.”

Pienaar’s fellow house members remember him for his quiet confidence. Amberline Mizrahi recalled her initial impressions of Dominique when they first met in 2021, sharing, “I was an intern at a company where he worked. I perceived him as shy until the music started at our work function. I saw a different side of him. He had quiet strength. He was the definition of never looking like your problems and pushing through everything.”

Lust Mizrahi similarly shared, “He definitely did not shy away from being in the spotlight and would take it with such ease. He also moved very quietly, but when the impact was dealt, it was felt.”

Sheila Plaatjies, a close friend of Pienaar’s, remembers him as someone who created connection, both in his personal life and broader community.

She recalled, “Dominique was so passionate about organising events in and around Newclare, coordinating and MCing most events. He was known for gathering young people in one place and being the life of the party. His love for cooking brought us together as friends, and we knew that he was our go-to person for all our favourite Sunday dishes.”

Plaatjies further remembers Pienaar for making his love for the people in his life clear and always being a beacon of positivity, and shared that his favourite quotes and daily affirmations were “Love yourself, protect yourself, live your life” and “you only live once.”

“There was a ball on the 31st of December, and although he was already ill at the time, his spirit was untouched. He said, ‘I can’t make this one, but the gyals better watch out for me at the next one,’” he recalled.

Draai reflected, “When forming this house, I was intentional about choosing members who not only had the talent to make a name in ballroom but who also shared core values and could genuinely connect with one another. Houses are first and foremost families. He didn’t just join the house, he became a family member.”

“I wish the ballroom community could have experienced him the way our house did,” he remarked.

MambaOnline offers our deepest condolences to Dominique Pienaar’s family, friends, loved ones and to the members of the Iconic House of Mizrahi South African Chapter.