South African Social Circus Program Offers Hope to Young Performers

In Johannesburg, a social program is transforming the lives of young performers from under-resourced communities by offering them a path to professional careers in circus arts. The initiative aims to equip these individuals with skills, provide paid work, and offer an alternative to the high rates of youth unemployment in South Africa.

For many participants, like 29-year-old Brian Ngobese, who hails from the Alexandra township, the circus represents more than just applause; it's a livelihood and a platform to showcase their potential. "We just want to show people that we can make it out of the township," Ngobese stated. "What you want to accomplish, you can actually make it."

Alexandra, one of Johannesburg's most densely populated townships, faces significant poverty and unemployment, contrasting sharply with the nearby financial district of Sandton. For young South Africans, a lack of training opportunities can lead to prolonged periods in the labor market's fringes, often resulting in unemployment rather than informal work, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Michelle Fok, an organizer of the social program, highlighted the goal of creating pathways into professional circus for jobless youth. Statistics South Africa reported that unemployment among South Africans aged 18 to 34 was approximately 45% in 2025. "There’s so much talent and so much skill in this country. We just need a platform to launch," Fok said.

Performers undergo years of rigorous training to develop the strength, flexibility, and discipline required for professional work. Successful participants can become instructors or secure paid positions with production companies and professional circus entities like The Cirk in Johannesburg. The program is structured to be self-sustaining through training, performances, and related circus activities, reducing reliance on external funding.

Fok noted that South African performers infuse their acts with a unique rhythm and flow, influenced by the country's diverse cultural landscape. Ngobese's journey into circus began with his passion for South African street and social dancing, later expanding to contemporary and hip-hop styles. His entry into circus was serendipitous, stemming from a dancer audition for a 2019 Joburg Theatre production. The Cirk offered him a training opportunity, which he embraced.

Ngobese received support for his training and transportation through the Jozi Circus School’s youth development program, which collaborates with The Cirk. "Cirk was like an adventure," he recalled. "When I saw people flying, I was like, ‘Is this what they’re doing here?’ Okay, this is life. I’m like, ‘Let’s go for it.’"

Now a professional, Ngobese performs in an animal-free circus show that combines choreography with gravity-defying acrobatics on silks and hoops. He plays a "little star" on a journey, a role that mirrors his own unexpected path into the world of circus.

Circus has also fostered strong bonds, with Ngobese forming a close relationship with fellow performer Zenzele Letsoela, also from Alexandra. "I’m grateful to Cirk for bringing me another brother I didn’t know I actually needed in my life," Ngobese said.

Letsoela, who trained in ballet and the South African township dance style pantsula, initially faced a significant challenge: a fear of heights. Despite his phobia, he performs aerial acrobatics, including portraying a magical tree. "I wouldn’t say I’ve learned to overcome my fear of heights, but I’ve learned to work around it," he said. "People don’t see that I’m actually nervous going into the air. I look very comfortable. And I’m like, if only you guys knew, I am dying inside."

Another participant, 22-year-old Megan Nielsen, performs hair suspension, where her full weight is supported by her braided hair attached to a rope. "When you start, you literally cry," Nielsen said. "It’s not even because of the pain; it’s because of how much tension it releases afterward." Her mother, though proud, cannot bear to watch her performances.

Despite its success, the program faces limitations, with capacity to fully support only four participants annually. "You only have a certain number of slots," Fok explained. "You have to turn people away."

Co-founder Orlando Vargas noted that the program emerged from a recognized need for formal circus training opportunities in South Africa. "If you want to do something for the continent, for the world, it’s from Johannesburg," Vargas asserted. "I really believe it’s from here."

The ambition he speaks of was vividly displayed on stage, where Ngobese, adorned as the little star who has found his place, performed an aerial silk routine, eliciting cheers from the audience.