Sponsorship for circus workshops at township schools

Circus activities have amazing benefits for participants. They improve co-ordination and motor skills, boost confidence, fitness and strength and improve muscle tone and promote teamwork. This could be the start of an exciting new career for students especially for those who are not academically inclined but are physically talented. At only R24.000 for the whole year we will provide a circus skills workshop at the school once a week for 20 children. Please contact us if you think you will be able to assist with this amazing new concept for schools.

The project:
Benefits to the community:

Most aspirant circus performers, especially from the disadvantaged communities lack the opportunity to receive professional training, with the result that their talents never get the exposure it deserves.

One can describe it to the fact that no “Circus Arts School for the underprivileged” exists in our region or in the country to nurture these raw and untapped talents of our youth. Through the development of a structured and properly funded “Circus Arts School” we are reaching and uncovering many talents and giving them the opportunity to receive formal training in all aspects of circus arts performances.

To be able to perform all these acts, one needs to instill discipline, dedication, determination and loyalty, which in return would develop them into future role models in their different communities. Our current program of performances would be converted into full-scale productions, which we would like to take through South Africa, as well as on a world tour.

Dimitri, who is the founder of the South African National Circus School, grew up in Hanover Park (a crime and gangster ridden township). Most recently on a few occasions he had to dodge hails of bullets whilst collecting and dropping of youngsters in the townships, and also during our performances in these townships. Dimitri after a miraculous break in the dark era of South Africa has worked for over 29 years in the circus arts arena. He spent 17 years working abroad for major shows and royalty also becoming the World Champion on the trapeze. For the past 12 years, along with Nicky (who is also the co-founder and circus artist) and other members, we have been pursuing our dream of having a circus school like ones we have worked with and visited in other countries.

We put all our money into a house and ground big enough to start the circus school, and after being self sufficient for 12 years we have accumulated a lot of equipment, a large increase in students and received many complaints from our neighbours.

We have been trying very hard to find a bigger premises, so that we are able to incorporate many more youth and children into the circus training program. We have finally obtained premises in Observatory at Hartleyvale at the end of 2003. We know that our school will get bigger and bigger and find its right people.

Main objective

Our main objective is to provide an alternative community development, teaching people mainly from the disadvantaged areas for a career in circus performing arts. A first if it's kind in Africa, with the aim of producing world-class professional artists for major South African and international events and tours.