The Facts

Country: South Africa
Launched: 2005
Partners: Nike South Africa, Dance Front
Objectives: Using sport as a means for inclusion of socially and economically excluded women
Program Highlights:

• Dance classes were given to a group of 25 women, 15 of which are now teaching their own classes
• Girls learning to formalize dance
• Inspiring girls to return to their communities and begin their own dance clubs

“The highlight for me is seeing how the girls have grown from nothing to something. Most of these girls are quite shy, I feel that through dance they have been able to express their personalities and increase their confidence. They are truly passionate about the program and are always keen to learn and grow. This inspires me, as then I know I am achieving what I have set out to achieve.” - Charmaine Gianni, Dance Front Dance Instructor

Committed to using sport as a means for social inclusion, Nike have worked with the Dance Train-the-Trainer Project in South Africa since 2005. Working with Dance Front the aim of the project is to provide socially and economically excluded women access to dance classes which teach them to formalize dance.

Dance in Africa is part of the DNA; it’s performed for fitness and entertainment, so formalizing it and giving it structure is something unique. “Training these women how to teach dance is not only motivating and inspiring for them but it’s also empowering; helping them create a profession for themselves,” says Mamuso Makhanya of Nike South Africa (SA).

The dance classes are held on a weekly basis and many women come from afar to attend. There is a weekly plan next to which progress can be measured. Although the women enjoy the classes one of the toughest challenges is morale. Many of the women come from homeless shelters; sometimes they are lethargic because of the nature of their lives. When they are done with the coaching and training they have to return to their communities and carry on.

Often too, lack of equipment in their communities makes things tough. Nike has helped ease this problem through the donation of product and equipment, “It’s a big thing in this country [to get sporting attire and equipment], excluded people don’t normally get those things, so it’s such a huge highlight and it’s user friendly while they’re working out,” says Nokuthula Zwane of Nike SA.

Having appeared on South African television is testament to the unique nature of the project. It only confirms the work that is being done is creating attention and interest, which gives the project more strength and credibility. Nonetheless the challenges are still there but by continually working with NGOs to try and address challenges it is expected that the project will continue to grow.

The feedback from the community has been positive, Charmaine Gianni, Dance Front Dance Instructor says, “There’s been absolutely no negativity. When we are training we actually get other gym members looking into the studio watching us. The attention is great as it helps us create awareness of what we are doing. We have also had positive media exposure and all of this helps us promote and grow the program.”

To see the success of the project one only needs to look to the women involved. Seeing the women mastering dance, gaining the confidence to perform and enabling women more access to these opportunities is all a sign of growth.

Visit www.nikewomen.com and vote for South Africa - Dance Train-the-Trainer Project if you think this program deserves a grant from Nike.

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