Gugulethu arts organisation, United We Stand, saves the lives of young people for years
United We Stand organisation getting the youth involved in dance and drama, and getting them off the street since 2009. Picture: SUPPLIED.
With a debut at the Cape Town Carnival next month, an arts organisation in Gugulethu called United We Stand has gone from strength to strength since it was founded in 2009.
The United We Stand organisation was founded in 2009 by Judy Mkoko, Zolani and Sindiswa Vokwana and has been a saving grace and positive distraction for the youth of Gugulethu.
It began as a vision to eradicate the high crime among young people in Gugulethu.
Channelled by the deep belief that arts is a positive platform and median of expression, the three were determined to use it to get young people off the streets.
Litha Macakathi who is one of the members of the organisation said he is grateful for the opportunity to be a dancer at united we stand, and wished there could be more organisations that aim to occupy the youth with meaningful programmes so that they don’t get into crime.
“The organisation saved me from many bad decisions made by the youth in my community.
“Many of my peers are smoking and doing things they shouldn’t do.
“I’m grateful for organisations such as this that enable me to be productive and not make bad decisions,” he said.
Judy Mkoko, one of the founding members says they take children off the streets and teach them dance, drama and give them awareness of the social ills and challenges that face the youth.
“We have just released a dance video at a local train station as part of our fun activities as an organisation.
“We mentor young people from the ages of 7-18,” she said.
Mkoko gushed with pride as about 20 of their members were selected at the auditions of the Netflix series “Jiva” as dancers on the show.
She also shared how the organisation was invited to Sweden, to perform for Queen Silvia.
“Yolanda Yawa who is a fashion designer and is now living in Holland recommended us as she designs clothes for many initiatives abroad,” she said.
“We offer them homework classes and food daily, as part of our development in the organisation.
“We are assisted by our stakeholders, Ubomi Gugulethu with the food we provide for our members,” Mkoko said.
Ubomi founder, Thomas Meisterknecht said they began supporting the organisation after one of the founders, Zolani Vokwana came back from Germany.
He said Ubomi also supports United We Stand with salaries.