Sigiya sonke

The streets of Alexandra are tough and poverty is the norm. Unemployment is at 60% and for many there is a sense of hopelessness. Jack has opened a door for these children, keeping them off the streets where crime and drugs abound. This has created hope and optimism empowering these children to achieve their dreams and hopes in the new South Africa.

In the past, the group had no funding despite the incredible work that Jack was doing. Operating from an abandoned warehouse with no electricity, often by candlelight, they train on a daily basis through cold or hot weather. Thanks to generous funding, we have now been able to renovate the warehouse – it now has electricity, bathroom, brightly painted walls, a dancing platform, and computer/study room.

All of the dancers come from seriously disadvantaged backgrounds where normal family life is an exception in a society ravaged by the current AIDS pandemic. All of them are affected in some way; some are in child-headed households; many live in overcrowded shacks with limited access to basic resources. Despite these circumstances, the children are all talented, highly spirited and enthusiastic.

The group has participated in many dance events, workshops and corporate team-building functions. In 2006, they represented South Africa in the World Hip-Hop Championships in Prague, where they succeeded in winning a first, second & third place.

Recently, thanks to the team from USA (students from the Californian Polytech) a food garden has been created opposite the warehouse that helps to provide much-needed food for the dancers and their families. We are hoping to roll out more food gardens in the area.

The 2009 matric came out recently and we are very happy to report that 2 students from the group passed. They were both lucky enough to have been sponsored to go to a private school in 2008. Their results are a great achievement, especially as the overall pass rate for the country is a dismal 60% – the state education system verging on being dysfunctional – so this is all the more reason why the Gumboots’ focus on education is critical.