THE determination to learn was visible on the faces of the youth who attended a street dance workshop, hosted by the eThekwini Municipality’s Arts and Living Culture department, together with Verbz Street Dance Academy and KZN Dance Camp at the Austerville Community Hall in Wentworth on April 22.
Over the past few weeks, the City has been hosting various workshops across eThekwini including Umlazi and Newlands East.
Senzo ‘Verb’ Bhengu, the founder of Verbz Street Dance Academy, a professional dancer and choreographer, said the academy joined forces with the municipality, whose aim is to grow the hip-hop dance culture in communities.
“We were contacted by the municipality as we work with a lot of the youth in various areas and they wanted us to create a programme to teach young aspiring dancers, which would also empower them.
“We also aim to find the talent in communities, and help those youth grow their talent so that they pursue it further, such as entering into competitions,” he said.
ALSO READ: Dance movement commemorates 15 years of existence with festival
Bhengu, said dance was also a way to keep the youth away from partaking in social-ills, such alcohol and substance abuse.
“We want them to be so invested in dance, that they constantly think about their health. Growing up I focused on wanting to build myself in the dance world, and was so focused on entering and winning competitions that I knew I had to take care of my body first.
“We hope that the youth will feel this way too. We want to create a culture of dance, but also good young people,” he said.
Bhengu said they aim to have more workshops in the community.
“We hope to get more youth to get involved. The municipality also intends on having a dance competition at the end of the year, so we want to prepare the youth ahead of it,” she said.
For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram.
