The Western Cape in South Africa is characterized by having a large, severely economically deprived and disadvantaged population, spread over a vast area. It is desperately in need of job creation and development initiatives, both economic and to help people to celebrate their rich cultural inheritances. There are many talented children and youth in these areas that would become economically viable if they can be given opportunities to develop their latent skills.

Community development

The South African National Circus School has a number of young children and youth actively involved, although so many more would like to join. With our communities pledging their support against crime, as well as their commitment to better the lives of children, the necessary support exists to develop them into well-disciplined trapeze and circus artists. To be able to perform all these acts, one needs to instil 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.

Holiday school

Also, we hold holiday schools in the disadvantaged areas. Both urban and rural children are trained for a 5 day period and at the end of the week they show of their new acquired skills to the local community in full and grand circus style with costumes and make up etc. The children's confidence is boosted to another level and they become little stars in their areas.

Role players

South Africa is still going through a transformation stage, and the people of this country are watching it with great interest. They are monitoring the various role players and have adopted a spirit of reconciliation with those, supporting human upliftment, as this is one of the few ways of measuring transformation at their level.

Creating job opportunities

The founders of the school for 17 years graced the circus arena internationally, performed in top shows, working for TV and film, and royalty. The school was founded in 1995, after our return to South Africa. It was a time for us to start putting back into the communities we came from, and hence the Circus School was born. We have seen the potential to nurture world-class artists, with the result of creating job opportunities not only in the country, but also internationally.

Resources

Our school is mainly self-sufficient and is kept going through the income we receive from our performances and our sponsors. Unfortunately we do not have sufficient resources to enrol more students. Huge transport costs are our biggest drawbacks in getting more of our youth involved.

Please feel free to contact us for further information.