What to do in the school holidays?

Numerous children interviewed gave avoiding substance abuse and crime as reasons for joining different school holiday programmes and life skills workshops. They said they hoped to overcome peer pressure when they reach their teens.

GroundUp found Nobuntu Traditional Dance on a train to Simon’s Town showing off their talent to commuters as a way of fundraising. Thina Nongomaza founded the group in 1994. It currently has 18 children. Money raised on the train is used to buy the kids basic commodities, items needed for school, and clothes. On 28 September, the group participated in the Toyota community support dance theatre competition held in Parow.

10-year-old Mbedlashe said she joined because “drug use is responsible for crime, domestic violence, gangsterism, and a range of other social problems my community is facing.” She said she doesn’t want to end up like other children in her community who smoke tik and mug people.

Yondi Xaji joined the group in 2007. She says it has taught her to be responsible, how to budget, and that when one wants money one should work for it.

GroundUp found a group of seven young boys sitting outside a spaza shop in Hout Bay begging from customers. “Aunty, buy us amagwinya (vetkoek)”, said Yuntsi Jacob the youngest in the group. Offered an orange, they all argued before sharing it equally.

The eldest in the group was 12. He said during school holidays they play soccer on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at Hout Bay soccer field. Sunday is church day. They are members of the South African Football Association (SAFA). They said they like soccer because it helps them steer clear of drugs and alcohol.

GroundUp approached three boys loitering the streets. They were from Zonnebloem, Hout Bay and Cape Town high schools. Two said they also sometimes play soccer; the third said he hated soccer. On school holiday he plays music on his laptop and interacts on Facebook and Mxit on his mobile phone. He wants to be a professional DJ. He plays music at community events and charges R300 per day. He is saving the money for DJ equipment.

Amy Liebenberg of Life Church runs various holiday programs including camps in the June/July school holidays, a three-day free holiday club in September and a one-day fun day, the Funfest. She has been doing this for many years. On 28 September, 30 volunteers and 130 children from Samora township participated in Funfest.

Liebenberg said the program gives children a chance to just act their age and have fun. “Through our holiday programmes we try to instil values, morals and give hope and encourage children to make wise decisions in their daily lives. I have seen a lot of the local kids growing up over the years and am proud of how they have really matured into awesome young adults despite their rough circumstances.”