Selfs al wag dansmaats, begin maatwisseling steeds in salsaklasse.

Selfs al is a fixed expression meaning even if or sometimes even though, depending on context.

In this sentence, it introduces a concessive idea: something happens despite the situation in the first part.

A useful point for learners: al here does not mean all. In selfs al, it is just part of the fixed combination.

That word order is normal in this pattern.

With selfs al, Afrikaans often uses an inverted order where the finite verb comes before the subject:

• Selfs al wag dansmaats ...
• Selfs al is dit laat ...
• Selfs al kom hy nie ...

So dansmaats wag would be the more neutral standalone order, but after selfs al, wag dansmaats is the natural structure.

This is a classic Afrikaans verb-second pattern.

The whole opening clause Selfs al wag dansmaats counts as the first element of the sentence. After that, the finite verb of the main clause must come next:

• Selfs al wag dansmaats, begin maatwisseling steeds in salsaklasse.

So begin comes before the subject maatwisseling.

If you removed the opening clause, the normal order would be:

• Maatwisseling begin steeds in salsaklasse.

Steeds means still, nevertheless, or all the same, depending on context.

Here it emphasizes that the partner rotation happens despite the first clause:

• Even if partners are waiting, partner rotation still begins in salsa classes.

It adds a sense of persistence or regularity.

A learner may compare it with nog, which can also mean still, but steeds often sounds a bit more deliberate or emphatic in this kind of sentence.

Maatwisseling is a compound noun:

• maat = partner / mate
• wisseling = change / switching

In a dance context, it means partner changing or partner rotation.

So it is not just any kind of change. In this sentence, it specifically refers to dancers switching partners during class.

Afrikaans, like Dutch and German, very often writes compound nouns as one word.

So:

• dansmaats = dance partners
• maatwisseling = partner rotation
• salsaklasse = salsa classes

English often uses separate words where Afrikaans prefers a single compound.

A good rule of thumb: if English has a noun + noun combination, Afrikaans will very often join it into one word.

Because the sentence is speaking generally, not about a specific set of classes.

• in salsaklasse = in salsa classes, in salsa classes in general
• in die salsaklasse = in the salsa classes, meaning particular classes already known from context

So the lack of die makes the statement more general.

In Afrikaans, verbs usually do not change form for different subjects in the present tense.

So you get:

• ek begin
• jy begin
• hy begin
• ons begin
• hulle begin

That is why the sentence simply uses begin, regardless of the subject maatwisseling.

This is much simpler than English in forms like I begin but he begins.

They are similar, but not always identical.

• selfs al usually means even if and often stresses that the main action happens regardless
• alhoewel usually means although

So in this sentence, selfs al is a strong choice because it highlights the idea of even if that is the case, this still happens.

Very roughly:

• Selfs al wag dansmaats, begin maatwisseling steeds ... = Even if partners are waiting, rotation still begins ...
• Alhoewel dansmaats wag, begin maatwisseling steeds ... = Although partners are waiting, rotation still begins ...

The second version is possible in meaning, but it does not have exactly the same feel.

Yes. Afrikaans allows different word orders for emphasis.

For example:

• Maatwisseling begin steeds in salsaklasse, selfs al wag dansmaats.

This means basically the same thing, but the focus changes slightly.

• The original sentence foregrounds the concession: even if partners are waiting ...
• The rearranged sentence foregrounds the main fact: partner rotation still begins ...

So both can work, but the original version gives more emphasis to the first clause.

Yes. Salsaklasse is the plural of salsaklas.

• singular: salsaklas
• plural: salsaklasse

So the sentence is talking about salsa classes in general, not one specific class.

The same applies to dansmaats:

• singular: dansmaat
• plural: dansmaats