A PASSION for drummies and the drive to give young girls a fighting chance is what got Wentworth mother, Angelique Hitler to start up Wentworth All Star Majorettes.
With her 22 years experience as a drum majorette, the Natal colours recipient channelled her love for the sport back into the community by establishing Wentworth All-Star Majorettes in October 2017.
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The community project she started in 2017 for children aged from 14 to 18 years saw her seniors place second in competitions but the success of the drum majorettes squad hit a snag when Hitler lost many of her girls to social ills in Wentworth. “It was difficult because the majority of the youth are struggling with poverty and parents who don’t take an interest in their likes and talents. We lost so many of them and at one point I was left with no-one, I felt like giving up. But I was encouraged to continue and this time, I established a junior team aged between five and 14-years-old, which I feel is better since I can start moulding the children into a better lifestyle from a younger age, through the teaching of drummies. And they love it,” said Hitler.
The juniors relished competing in their first competition earlier this year. Despite not placing, they enjoyed the experience of competing and being cheered for.
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With many of her juniors coming from disadvantaged homes, the cost of much of the equipment and uniforms can’t be borne by the parents and many of her team members have borrowed from fellow teams at competitions.
Hitler reaches out to the community and local businesses to help her get the girls their own uniforms and equipment. They will need 20 props which includes flags, maces, pom poms and batons. Uniforms for various routines, leotards, skirts, leggings, jazz pants and tommy takkies.
They also need 10 orange beacons for the field (to mark the area used to perform routines), 20 sports bags and a gazebo for competitions, which is used as a changeroom when there aren’t any available at the sports field.
“Branding of your company on all sponsored items will be highly recommended as we will be advertising for your company at various competitions regionally and nationally,” added Hitler.
To donate or for more information about the drummies, call Angelique Hitler on 062-452-3752.