1–2 minutes By Tshidi Bokgwathile In Logageng village, under Ratlou Local Municipality, the streets are usually empty after school, but not at the community hall. Inside, the sound of drumbeats and clapping fills the air as a group of teenagers spin and leaps across the floor. They are part of Tswelelang Cultural Dancers, a programme run by Godsend Mokgope, 38, whose mission is simple but urgent: keep children off the streets. “Before this, I was just hanging around. There was nothing to do, and the streets… it’s easy to get into trouble,” said a 16-year-old dancer. For Mokgope, watching teenagers learn steps and routines is what keeps him going. “Seeing children grow and become useful members of the community makes me happy. Some of these kids could have ended up in gangs, or worse. Dance gave them a reason to stay,” he said. The programme caters mostly to rural youth, many of whom are orphans or come from child-headed households. Mokgope said he spends his days organising rehearsals and hunting for funding. “The money is scarce, grants and donations are unpredictable, and every week brings the challenge of keeping the lights on and shoes on the children’s feet,” he said. He said, however, that the risks of doing nothing were higher. “In Logageng, unemployment, drugs, and crime hover over teenagers like a shadow,” he said. Mokgope believes that without a structured activity, many would be lost. “I’ve seen it happen. “Teenagers drift. They get into fights, theft, alcohol, and sometimes worse. Here, they’re learning discipline. They’re learning respect.” The impact is visible. Some participants have gone on to perform in competitions and local events, while others use the discipline they learn in daily life. “I was shy. Now I can speak in front of people, and I feel like I belong somewhere,” said another teenager. Mokgope said that in a country where rural youth are often forgotten, small programmes like his can make the difference between life and a dangerous drift into the streets. “This is more than dance. It’s survival, it’s focus, it’s hope,” he said. Post navigation Spice up your weeknights with this spicy penne perfection Mahikeng filmmaker shows the world the power of small spaces.
