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Hermanus shares the love T
he youth of Hermanus gathered at the Hermanus Waterfront on Friday 18 October for a festive musical celebration featuring marimba bands, singing and dancing. This enthusiastic group of 124 young people came from diverse backgrounds, areas and schools, relishing the opportunity to interact and collaborate in a fun and safe environment. The organisers, a group of 15 enthusiastic members of the Hermanus community, wanted to create social cohesion with a cultural youth development project that would showcase the young talent of Hermanus, whilst creating goodwill. It was decided to attempt a flashmob to set the tone and introduce a campaign with the theme: # Hermanus #Sharethe “We are using the heart shape in the campaign to project a positive image and to showcase all the good things that happen in our communi2
ties,” said Karen Winter, one of the main organisers, along with Carolyn Martin and Ann Wright. “Janine Neethling, the renowned South African music producer who lives in Hermanus, kindly helped us to put this production together on short notice. We even called in the help of the internationally-known South African choreographer, Kirvan Fortuin, to join in the effort.” By participating in the project, the youths were given the opportunity to demonstrate their love for their town and showcase their amazing skills. The extremely talented duo of Kerwin Baatjies and Chad Hendriks, both ex-Hermanus High students, joined in the festivities by singing and showed everyone the talent that our town can produce. The open-air performance was held at the amphitheatre in front of Village Square above the Old Harbour and included marimba bands playing on the lawn, with singers and dancers strutting their stuff. The marimba players were from Gansbaai Academia and Curro Hermanus, the dancers from Marina’s School of Dance and Estian Jansen van 3
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PHOTO: Lukas Winter (12)
Rensburg’s Haus of Performance, and the choirs from Hermanus High School and Gansbaai Academia. The organisers said they were grateful for the schools giving their full support to the initiative. “This event could not have happened without the help and financial contributions of the local community – private individuals, restauranteurs, guesthouses, Hermanus Waterfront, Curro Hermanus and tourism operators. We would like to thank them all for making it possible and believing in the difference this project would make to these young people's lives. The crew also gave generously of their time to make this happen.”
Development programme to be launched next year and that we will be able to regularly showcase our local talent to residents, and local and international tourists alike. “We believe that we have abundant talent right here on our doorstep that should be shared and uplifted.” 1
They added that Cape Whale Coast Tourism and the Overstrand Municipality, too, were excited about this initiative and the involvement of the youth in this venture, offering cooperation and support. “Most importantly, we want to express our appreciation to all the kids who have given so much of their time to show their commitment to youth culture development. We hope that this can serve as a seed project for a Youth Culture 4
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1. Marimba players from Gansbaai Academia and Curro Hermanus gave energetic performances throughout the afternoon. PHOTO: Karen Winter Photography 2. The choirs were from Hermanus High School and Gansbaai Academia. These two young ladies thoroughly enjoyed the festivities. PHOTO: Karen Winter Photography 3. Dian Smit (front) was one of the local dancers to participate in the festive musical celebration. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer 4. Spectators couldn't help but dance along to music from the talented duo, Kerwin Baatjies and Chad Hendriks, both ex-pupils from Hermanus High. PHOTO: Taylum Meyer 5. Chad Hendriks (left) and Kerwin Baatjies with Hermanus High business studies teacher, Anneke Harms. PHOTO: Karen Winter Photography 6. Karen Winter (a main organiser), Taylum Meyer (The Village NEWS photographer), Ann Wright (a main organiser), Nanette Ras (Hermanus High PR), Carolyn Martin (a main organiser) and Frieda Lloyd (Cape Whale Coast Tourism) at the memorable celebration.
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