Photo courtesy of Zama Dance School.
20 November 2014
Dance is fast becoming a tool used for building confidence and self-expression among kids. Zethu Gqola looks at some of the top township-based dance schools that have for years provided a supportive space for children.
Dance for All aims at youth development through dance. Directed by Philip Boyd, former Cape Town City Ballet dancer, the organization was founded in 1991 as Ballet for All in Gugulethu. In 1995, other forms of dance were included. Today there are classes in ballet, African, contemporary, musical theatre and Spanish dance for over 600 children and youth in Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Samora, Athlone and the rural areas of Barrydale and Montagu.
Classes try to promote the personal development of children by encouraging creativity, confidence and self-discipline. Dance for All founded its own Youth Company in 2005. Its Honorary Life Patrons include Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Dr Mamphela Ramphele and John Persenda.
Beyond their main studios in Athlone, Dance for All now runs tuition in school classrooms and community halls, and a rural outreach programme that takes dance classes to township schools.
Despite its success, the school struggles to raise the R4 million in needs to run every year.
Jikeleza is a dance project teaching dance classes in African, contemporary, Spanish and classical ballet, drawing children from the informal settlement of Imizamo Yethu and the Hangberg Harbour community of Hout Bay, Nyanga township, and the Learn-to-Live Program for street children in Green Point.
Jikeleza also has a music program to teach kids how to play drums and marimbas. Jikeleza, which means ‘turn/go around’, offers youngsters creative, fulfilling and developmental-based recreational opportunities to turn their lives around, and provides exposure to professional performances after they reach a certain level.
By teaming up with Learn-to-Live, it has started a reintegration initiative with homeless children which aims to monitor and support the rehabilitation of street kids. Teaching just over 200 children, the aim is to add value to and improve the quality of life of every single child who comes from an impoverished background by using creative dance and music interventions.
At Jikeleza kids also learn life skills. Dance and music is used as a tool for healing and self-expression.
The school also provides teaching opportunities for trainee teachers. Jikeleza has provided a place for children to rise above disheartening circumstances and redirect their energy towards positive life goals. They’ve also created a foster care program together with Learn-to-Live.
Zama School has nurtured and created award-winning dancers, among them Mamela Nyamza from Gugulethu, who began training with the school when she was eight years old.
Based in Gugulethu, the school teaches contemporary dance and ballet classes as well as stretch contortion.
Students are primarily from disadvantaged communities. Zama also has a feeding scheme and supplies basic needs with things such as toiletries and dance clothes – tights, tracksuits, ballet shoes. It also provides the children with transport to and from the school.
The main focus of Zama dance school is to develop choreographers, dancers and teachers and to encourage teamwork, self-discipline and pride in achievement. The students are then given the chance to participate in dance festivals and eisteddfods. After completing matric, the children have the option to further their training by studying towards degrees and diplomas in dance at other institutions.
Hosting dance classes Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 6pm in Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Philippi and New Cross Roads, Ikapa Dance Training and Outreach School uses dance for personal upliftment. It creates projects, events and festivals.
Classes accommodating between 40 and 60 learners provide fun, accessible and affordable extra-curricular activity. At each class, the kids are encouraged, empowered, educated and nurtured.
iKapa has also established Arts Development Centres to encourage students to excel in the arts and later pursue their aspirations through tertiary programmes and internships. iKapa looks out for the physical, emotional and mental well-being of its students, fostering and enhancing an appreciation of performing arts.
The school has been praised for substantially contributing towards social transformation and youth development, having reached over 5,000 children and created 40 jobs in the last three years.
Children and youth are welcome to attend dance classes from Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 6pm at the following venues:
Gugulethu: JL Zwane Center
Samora: Tsoga Centre
Crossroads: Crossroads Community Hall
Khayelitsha: Ikhwezi Community Hall
Makhaya: St Francis Anglican Church
Visit ikapadancetheatre.co.za or email Tanya [at] ikapadancetheatre.co.za for more information.