The Zip Zap School of Circus is a unique idea which sets out to inspire and empower the youth of Cape Town. The idea may seem slightly offbeat but it seems to work. What they do is take your normal everyday child and develop them into world-class entertainers in the field of Circus.

This is not just clowns with red noses, big feet and flowers which spray water. No, this school trains children to be trapeze artists, jugglers, tightrope walkers, fire-breathers and so much more.

The school is guided by certain principles. These principles not only apply within the circus but also outside. Trust, honesty, self-confidence, teamwork, discipline and having fun are all lessons which will help any individual in their lives.

The school also seeks to enhance the lives of everybody who comes in contact with it. As it is free you will find children from every economic background participating in its activities. This creates cohesion between the children as before they may have never interacted with each other at all. At the circus they are all equal.

With "graduates" performing across the world Zip Zap has an excellent track record when it comes to creating opportunities which would not have existed before.

When it comes to social development Zip Zap has a number of projects. There is a project in Khayelitsha called Ibhongolwethu which trains HIV positive children juggling and other acts. This is done in conjunction with Circus du Monde (the social outreach section of Circus du Soleil – the biggest circus in the world) and has recently had Oxfam join them as a partner.

There is also the Youth at Risk programme which seeks to take youngsters who are in dangerous situations – whether it be living on the streets, coming from abusive homes or other problematic circumstances – and giving them an opportunity to experience something new and possibly make a better lives for themselves. This programme is done in conjunction with the City of Cape Town.

Zip Zap was given a piece of land behind the Artscape Theatre on the Foreshore of Cape Town to use until 2011. They hope to be able to extend this lease as this is the School's first permanent home and is convenient for children travelling from all parts of Cape Town.

You can contact them on info(at)zipzap.co.za

Page Last Updated 8 April 2010