Improve lives of young Zulu dancers

Appreciation

We greatly appreciate all the support received for our Young Environmental Ambassador Zulu dancers.

Meals

During 2024 we helped provide them with many nutritious meals and they have appreciated the food and beverages immensely. Often the children walk for many kilometers to their dance practice and shows, outside the Hluhluwe National Park, hoping for tips from passerby visitors. But they arrive with no lunch so we provide a meal with beverages.

Talent Africa

Unfortunately, they could not participate in Talent Africa this year, due to the South African Elections, interrupting their schedule. They are all set and excitedly preparing to be the very best of the best during Talent Africa in 2025.

New regalia

This year we were pleased to help the group with new regalia for their dance and they look neat and wonderful in their full dance dress, wowing tourists who watch their incredible talent.

Coaching

A difficult movement as part of their dance that we taught this year was the acrobatic shoulder lift where groups of 3 dancers work together in the dance group team. One child helps to lift a smaller and lighter dancer, who places his right foot on the knee of the crouching supporter. The dancer then stretches up to place his left foot on the supporter’s shoulder, his safety still being managed by his aid. Simultaneously the supporter stands up tall with the dancer who has by now, stepped up onto his shoulders smiling broadly. He balances there for a short while and then as the supporter crouches down, the dancer jumps off to the front. The move is part of their larger routine all done to the beat of their African drums. They learned this move surprisingly quickly and will now use it in the upcoming Talent Africa Contest where hundreds of audience will watch their amazing talent. 

Young Environmental Ambassadors

During 2024 we conducted several interesting lessons in conservation that the dancers could share with peers and their community: 

• Vultures and the importance of protecting them.
• How to protect leopards and report if they were seen out of the Reserve
• The importance of trees and water,
• How to treat their dogs humanely,
• Methods of caring for domestic animals, especially donkeys.
• How to report any illness found in any animal.
• The importance of protecting the rhino.
• The importance of a healthy environment. 

Year-end treat

The year-end of 2024 arrived all too soon and we treated the dancers, their coaches, and quite a few friends and family members who came to watch, with a lovely little celebration meal with some party fare, sweets, cake, cooldrinks, potato crisps, and KFC that they all love. We also supplied their usual nutritious lunch meal.

We bought the coach a new cost-effective cell phone as he had lost his. To add to the festive occasion it was our environmental educator and team manager’s birthday.

The children all had a delightful time and sang hymns of thanks and praise for the Lord’s blessings. 

Gratitude for support

The children, coaches, and all thank you for your support. They are truly excited about their year ahead and are ready to meet 2025 with their very best! 

Thank you once again, from us all for your generous support. We wish you a wonderful Christmas and Festive season. 

Links:

• Young environmental ambassador dancers