A dance academy in the Eastern Cape is keeping young people off the streets.
Ndoni Dance Art Academy was established in 1995 to spark youth interest in the art of dance.
They’ve since produced many stars… Two of its couples participated at the World Dance Council Amateur Lead competitions in England and France.
The academy founder Thembinkosi Ndoni is currently in Port Elizabeth, scouting for new talent.
Port Elizabeth youth are showcasing their talent, working on their dreams of becoming professional ballroom dancers.
It’s also a means of staying off the streets and away from drug and alcohol abuse.
Watch the dancers in action below:
Thembinkosi Ndoni, Director of Ndoni dance art academy says that this programme also targets learners who excel in arts and culture at schools.
“I want to see the kids of the province of the eastern cape to be able to earn through the ballroom and Latin American dance since that we do understand that some other kids are not good with academics, so this kind of sport will play a role to this society and also to build self-esteem to our kids so that we can be able to explore dance across the country.”
Dance is a form of non-verbal communication through which to engage in conversations, evoke emotions and escape reality.
But above all… the academy offers members exposure.
One learner says it’s their passion: ”When I finish grade 12, I might not get a job but I know that I’m proud of about myself, I’m passionate about dance.”
Another wants to see the world: “I wish to travel the world with my passion, which is dance and see international dancers.”
A third learner says it gives them freedom:”I like dancing because it makes me feel free and i believe that many schools should do this dance because we want to have competition on this dance ”
Zukiswa Songca, teacher at Ndyebo high school says this activity contributes to mental growth.
”We hope that we’ll get something in order to uplift our school. On the other hand, we are in the process of meeting the department so that this dance can be taken as a subject in the school, whereby most of the time they will be doing practise, then it’s more time for the theory which we hope that even the results will be in a higher level.”
Yolanda Magaca, principal of Ndyebo high school says that their learners need to be developed holistically: “When we say holistically, we don’t only focus on academics, we also focus on other activities like extra mural activities. we find kids that are not academically well developed whereby being involved in these extra mural activities, they are getting an opportunity to survive ”
Despite its success… this academy needs funding.
The Chief of Mvezo, Mandla Mandela, has helped to develop the academy.
They now use the facilities at the Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology to prepare for competitions, like the South African Champs of champs to be held in December.
