Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille has hit out at critics of her dance moves, saying dancing and singing are part of South Africa's culture.

"Some people tell me 'Mrs Zille you shouldn't dance, it's not your style'," she told a group of her supporters during a election campaign trip in the Karoo.

"One lady compared me to Margaret Thatcher. She told me that the 'Iron Lady' would never consider dancing like that."

But Zille, whose dance style is known to draw groans from television watchers during news time, said she had to do what she had to do when people around her were dancing.

"Must I stand stiff and say no thanks I don't want to dance. Sing and dance are part of our culture."

ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema is another of Zille's dance critics, saying she reminded him of an apartheid spy when she danced.

On Wednesday Zille sang along to some of her election campaign songs including "Zille bring the wind wat waai" (Zille brings the winds that blow) and another titled "Wie maak vir Zuma lekker", taught to her by her supporters in the Northern Cape.

Television viewers can expect more singing and dancing from Zille as the 22 April election campaign warms up.