2nd Chance

Zip Zap’s 2nd Chance programme engaged 2 295 participants from Western Cape Education Department (WCED) schools across the Cape Town metropole through 54 workshops. Most of these schools were situated in the most under-resourced and under-served areas in Cape Town, and access to extra-mural activities and excursions are often very limited. The children were excited to experience the Zip Zap Academy, a state of the art, fit-for-purpose facility specifically built for circus training. They were enthralled by D2D students delivering exhibition performances, and all of these opened their minds to the demands and opportunities of circus-and performing arts.
The workshops contain a “Q&A” section which allowed children to ask questions and gain deeper insight into circus arts, Zip Zap Social Circus and the possible career opportunities that exist in the circus- and performing arts. Having attended 2nd Chance workshops, at least 2 learners applied to enrol in The Hood (which caters to children living and schooling in the Salt River neighbourhood) and Beginners (the entry-level, recreational youth offering) programmes respectively in 2024.

Maintaining a safe space for all children to express themselves freely is paramount at Zip Zap, and 94% of participants reported feeling safe during the programme. 93% of participants reported having learned something new about circus and 94% of learners reported having a new-found interest in joining the circus. 83 % of participants reported feeling inspired after attending a workshop and 99% reported having had fun at the workshop.

Teachers also reported that participation in the workshop seemed to boost children’s confidence and also created awareness of alternative career paths they may not have previously considered.

Quotations from teachers/chaperones:

• “It exposes our learners to a whole new side of arts seeing we are underprivileged and come from struggling schools who can’t give them such experiences, this has been by far the greatest workshop our school has ever been to. The importance of arts & culture is undermined with no value from where we are from, but with such workshops, learners start to appreciate art.”

• “Learners felt safe and not judged, all learners were given a chance to try.”

• “The caring nature experienced with all the instructors truly made the workshop one of superior quality. It builds self-esteem and confidence in our learners and allows them to explore different avenues of life.”

Programme Success

The programme was overwhelmingly well-received by participants and teachers alike. Learners were excited to experience the Zip Zap Academy, a state-of-the-art, fit-for-purpose facility specifically built for circus training. They were enthralled by D2D students who delivered exhibition performances, and all of these opened their minds to the demands and opportunities of circus and performing arts.

Following 2nd Chance workshops offered to schools in the Salt River area, at least 10 new enrolments were received for The Hood programme, which caters to children living and schooling in the neighbourhood.