Circus school and outreach programme kids perform on World AIDS Day

As part of the show children from the HIV/AIDS outreach programme Ibhongolethu take to the stage at the Oliver Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha near Cape Town. The show is open to the public, free of charge and will be kicking off at 10:00am with a procession from the Ubuntu Clinic and the Zip Zap Circus School performance at 12pm.

Attitude of acceptance

This annual performance aims to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to encourage an attitude of acceptance and understanding in the community. The Ibhongolethu project, which means 'Our Pride', was started in 2005 by Zip Zap and is made possible through a partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières and Cirque du Soleil.

Children are taught physical strength through circus acts, while gaining self-confidence, discipline and learning to work together as a team. Instructors from Zip Zap Circus travel to Khayelitsha twice a week to teach circus acts such as mini trampoline, tumbling, juggling and trapeze to these children.

The theme of this year's event 'Ulwazi bubomi/Knowledge is life', is a call to recognise the long term benefits of parents progressively discussing their child's HIV status with them to support their continued adherence to their treatment.