Rabie Ridge resident finds a way to keep children off the streets
RABIE RIDGE – Local dancer, Sifiso Maphanga, hopes to keep kids off the street by teaching them how to dance.
Substance abuse is a major concern in the community of Rabie Ridge which causes a lot of parents to worry about the future of their kids.
But concerned parents can breathe a small sigh of relief as Sifiso Maphanga has started African dance classes to keep the kids off the streets. Maphanga holds his dance classes at Rabie Ridge Community Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“The main aim is to get these kids off the streets and not do drugs,” said Maphanga.
“I want to help these kids to get into dancing. Since I relocated to this community, I have not seen people doing breakdance.”
Maphanga added that his aim is not only to get kids to stay away from substance abuse but also to get them to participate in various competitions.
“The other reason why I started these classes is that in 2024, breakdance will be in the Olympics so I want to get these kids to compete in the Olympics.
“All the kids in my class have a chance to get to compete in the Olympics.”
With good work that Maphanga is doing for his community, he added that he is in short of equipment to see his dream materialise. “We still have some other equipment we need to get like protection mats, so that when you fall, you don’t get hurt. We are still dancing on the floor and the floor is hard for the kids. We do have dangerous moves, so the mat will help us a lot in terms of protections.
“We need our own sound system. For now, we are using a small Bluetooth speaker. We also need outfits for practising with as well as for our performances.”
Maphanga also teaches hip-hop, pantsula and ‘tricking’ and in an effort to make the community aware of his classes, he has classes in parks on weekends.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/199035/renowned-dancer-wants-midrand-youngsters-to-dance-their-way-abroad/
