Using dance as an escape from pain and anger
Jarrel Mathebula from Tembisa near Midrand has been using his dance talent to take kids off the streets.
Tembisa is like many townships in South Africa that have a high crime rate and thousands of residents living in poverty.
The lack of basic sanitation and living in poverty can result in some residents holding onto anger.
This was the case of Jarrel Mathebula from Tembisa. He told Beautiful News that his family members took out their anger on him.
“Sometimes in communities like mine, the only thing people know is anger and pain,” Mathebula told the publication.
“My mother and brother were victims of their circumstances and often took it out on me,” he added.
However, instead of fighting back or turning to substance abuse, Jarrel found an escape in pantsula dance.
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He says he found peace and joy while dancing alongside other dancers in his community.
Realising the difference dancing has made to his life, he decided to use his experience to help others.
As a result, he started the Indigenous Dance Academy in 2005.
“Many dancers from the academy came from bad backgrounds, so we relate,” Mathebula says. “We’re a family.”
His academy gives young people in his township a sense of pride and offers them an opportunity to do something that could later lead to them performing on big stages. It teaches them that energy can be channeled towards something positive rather than anger.
“I feel like I can be anything I want to be and not be judged for it,” Mathebula added.
He hopes his academy will also communicate the same message to his students - you can be anything in life.
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Image courtesy of Beautiful News.