At the end of 2024, youth unemployment in South Africa stood at a massive 44,6%, which means around half of all the young people in the country are without work. This harsh reality highlights the need for targeted programmes that address skills gaps and open up job opportunities for young people across the country.
For over 30 years, Zip Zap Circus has empowered youth through the transformative power of circus. Our mission goes far beyond training circus arts – we help young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, gain confidence, develop life skills, and find meaningful pathways to employment.
Our Dare2Dream (D2D) programme, launched in 2001, offers an alternative pathway to success. This full-time vocational initiative prepares young people for professional careers in circus and beyond. It’s about so much more than tricks – it’s about breaking barriers, building resilience, and creating futures filled with possibility.
D2D provides training in circus disciplines, teaching, safety, and technical production, alongside essential soft skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership. The programme is now structured as a competency-based system, allowing each student to progress at their own pace and ensuring they’re truly ready for the next step.
At Zip Zap, we’re not just training performers – we’re transforming lives. Meet Zalton Jacobs, 23, who joined the programme in 2022 and is a real D2D success story. He has performed hand-to-hand, club juggling, and acrobatic acts, both as a solo and group performer, and his stage credits include several Zip Zap productions, including Slapstick (2022), VOOMA! (2023), Kaleidoscope and A Piece of Us (2024). His dedication, discipline, and perseverance saw him being named the 2023 Student of the Year at the Zip Zap AGM in August 2024. Zalton is preparing for Chasing Dreams, Zip Zap’s show at the Zip Zap Dome in July 2025.
But he’s not the only D2D star. To date, 86 talented young individuals have been through the programme, with many of them employed across the globe.
To effectively address South Africa’s unemployment crisis, a collaborative effort is needed. Help us play our small part in boosting employment opportunities for young people by donating to the Zip Zap Circus, today!
