Yeoville youth group hopes to become an agent of change
Moyo began the NPO as a means of uplifting and encouraging youth from within the community to discover their talents.
The Yeoville-based community youth group, Talented Actors and Singers Alliance (TASA), who, twice a week, conduct rehearsals at the Yeoville Recreation Centre, are anything but short of hope.
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Its founder and director, Thabani Moyo, said while the suburb is marred by urban decay, crime, drug abuse and various other forms of socio-economic challenges, a silver lining exists in the form of a budding group of young actors, singers and dancers from a local school.
A group of about 20 learners in Grades Two to 12 from the Eveline Independent School located in Bezuidenhout Street are a pot of optimism and excitement as they participate in the recreation centre rehearsals, which according to Moyo, steers them clear of an array of social challenges, including drug and alcohol abuse.
Started in 2015, Moyo began the NPO as a means of uplifting and encouraging youth from within the community to discover their talents.
He hopes the group will reach out to more youth beyond the said school and become an agent for change in the long-term.
Added to this, Moyo said he envisions the group as a reference tool for cultural influence within the performing arts space.
“We wish to see ourselves as one of the cultural organisations which can be referred to in terms of understanding the arts, though we are community-based.
“With this, we request sponsorship and support from outside. If anyone has a wedding or a party, we encourage them to invite us so we can provide them with some exceptional entertainment,” said Moyo.
The principal of Eveline Independent School, Righteousness Bhebhe, shared his thoughts on how the learners who participate in the youth group benefit from it.
He said the training the learners receive here has, in some way, enhanced their academic discipline and outlook.
“They have become more goal-oriented and motivated, especially with learning or seeing how some have made it in the industry out there – one of whom now stars in the popular South African drama series Isibaya.
“It is also seen in how they are now able to organise their time academically, which makes them perform better while participating in the group rehearsals,” said Bhebhe.
Learner at the school and youth group member Nicole Nyoni beamed with excitement.
“I enjoy dancing because I believe it is in me and I am passionate about it. It’s what I like as well as with everything else here. It takes you away from the drugs and other bad things in the streets,” she said.
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