Zip Zap Circus School: Using Circus to Transform Lives
Founded in 1992 in Cape Town, the Zip Zap Circus School has been a social and professional upliftment champion. The institution has trained thousands of young people from all walks of life for nearly three decades, imparting valuable lessons and skills.
Founded in 1992 in Cape Town, the Zip Zap Circus School has been a social and professional upliftment champion. The institution has trained thousands of young people from all walks of life for nearly three decades, imparting valuable lessons and skills.
More than Circus Skills: Fostering Creativity, Teamwork, and Confidence
Zip Zap’s programs go beyond merely teaching circus skills. The school’s unique approach also aims to develop a sense of community, teamwork, self-confidence, and creativity among young people. Zip Zap caters to children of all ages with a wide range of offerings, from after-school classes to full-time professional training.
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Dare2Dream: Circus as Youth Development
Dare2Dream is one of Zip Zap’s most successful initiatives, which uses the circus to teach life skills to vulnerable young people. This program offers high-risk youth from disadvantaged communities a safe and supportive environment to learn and develop their talents.
Inspiring and Engaging Young People through Outreach Programmes
Zip Zap’s outreach programs take the circus to schools and communities across South Africa, intending to inspire and engage young people. These programs encourage young people to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles, paving the way for a brighter future.
VOOMA! Circus Show: Creating Positive Change in South Africa
VOOMA! The circus show is just one of the many ways Zip Zap creates positive change in South Africa. By providing young people with opportunities to learn and perform, the school empowers them to build a better future for themselves and their communities.
Kagiso Petersen is a Cape Town journalist who reports on the city’s evolving food culture—tracking everything from township braai innovators to Sea Point bistros signed up to the Ocean Wise pledge. Raised in Bo-Kaap and now cycling daily along the Atlantic Seaboard, he brings a palpable love for the city’s layered flavours and even more layered stories to every assignment.
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