Masizakhe "Building Each Other" Youth Art Project

Masizakhe Youth Art Project (MYAP) is a non-profit organization established in 2015 in the township of Gugulethu providing educational support and youth development through dance, drama, poetry, and singing. Masizakhe, which translates to “Building Each Other” in isiXhosa, founded to influence and inspire disadvantaged youth. Empowerment through the art of movement and expression as a means of positive reinforcement in their lives. MYAP is run by a group of 6 facilitators who initiate social transformation through education and cultural activities, to more than 30 dancers, daily. Students between the ages of 8 and 18, mostly female, meet weekly from Monday to Friday, between 5 pm and 6.30 pm, and are allowed to hone their creativity, receive assistance with homework assignments, and have extra tutorial support before and during school exams. As a means of giving back to the community, students that graduate from MYAP at the age of 18 years are encouraged to return as “captains” to mentor the younger students. MYAP performs at many of Cape Town’s carnivals, local weddings, and special events and has been a part of the Zabalaza Festival at The Baxter Theatre.