Hundreds of children enjoy dance boot camp

It was all about dance, face painting, quizzes and games when hundreds of children attended a boot camp with a twist at Isivivane, in Khayelitsha.

Instead of overcoming physical obstacles that tested their fitness, the young attendees enjoyed tasks that encouraged their creativity before they watched a movie at Move Boot Camp.

Some children said it was demanding. It was their first time meeting and mingling with so many others.

Move Boot Camp founder Stoan Galela, a dancer and choreographer, said the aim is to unite people using dance and also to give local choreographers a chance to showcase their skills.

He was happy about the attendance. “It was great for the first time. Isivivane is a secure place. We were all happy to see children having fun, playing on jumping castles, dancing and learning from us. This is not the end but the beginning,”

When children from across Khayelitsha arrived at this inaugural boot camp they were given armbands and some props they were going to use.

On the other side the dance crews, teachers and entertainers were waiting to get going. Children were separated into groups, some in halls and others sent to the park to enjoy dancing and painting faces.

“The goal was to unite them and teach them life lessons. But with the attendance we had, I am scared in the future we have to organise it at a stadium. So far Isivivane is giving us what we want, security. We would not want to see children running all over the show. But what a success. Thank you to all the awesome kids who came and joined us in the activities including parents who came to see their children,” Mr Galela said.

Children who spoke to Vukani were over the moon to be part of the day.

Khayona Kabatshana said she would attend it again at any time. “This is an awesome day. I am playing with friends and many others that I met here for the first time,” she said after showing her dance skills on the outside stage.

To some the day was made better by the screening of a short movie called My Father the Mover, which is based on Mr Galela’s true story.