SO You Think You Can Dance winner Lulu Mlangeni says she wishes her father had been there to witness her victory.

On Saturday, the 23-year-old told Sowetan that throughout her competition journey she was hoping that her father, whom she last saw when she was 12 would resurface.

"Every child needs the support of both parents. I wished my dad was there to support me.

"Anyway, it's his loss," says Mlangeni, who danced like a woman possessed and out-voted three other finalists.

Mlangeni says she will add another car to the fleet of her mother's taxis with the R250000 she won and invest the rest.

"It feels like a dream. I'm struggling to believe that I beat all those talented people," she says.

"This has been the longest dance journey I have ever taken in my dance career. It was hard. I am fatigued and my body has bruises, but it was worth it."

The freelance dancer from Zone 6 Meadowlands, Soweto, says her next focus would be her trip to Reunion Island where she will perform at the dance umbrella festival. When she comes back she will work with James Ngcobo and Hugh Masekela on Songs of Migration, which begins on November 8 at the Market Theatre.

"I'm honoured to be working with great talents like James Ngcobo and Hugh Masekela," she says.

David Mathamela, one of the judges, says he is proud of Mlangeni.

"She is a fantastic and passionate dancer. She deserved to win."