Cape Flats ballet whizz needs your help
THE YOUNG ballet dancer from Hanover Park, who stole the heart of Cape Town with his passion and big dreams, needs the city’s help once more.
Faakhir Bestman, 13, was awarded The Christopher Kindo Dance Scholarship, a project of the Applauz Arts Initiative and will start at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg. He is set to leave on January 16 and will start the next day.
Creative director of Applauz Arts Initiative Natalia da Rocha said: “Faakhir is an exceptional dancer with a passion for what he does. We cannot afford to not support him in this venture of his.”
“The school fees amounts to R50 000. This amount is sorted for next year but then he has another four years of schooling to go after that. He is also in need of a lot of other things such as stationery, a school uniform, his ballet gear and other necessary apparel for his stay. There is also his flight expenses.”
“Faakhir will be leaving his grandmother behind to take (care) of his siblings. She, as a pensioner needs the help of the community too,” she said.
Faakhir said he is excited about moving to Johannesburg to fulfil his dream. “I would really like to thank everyone who has supported me thus far. I am doing this for my sister because she is fully paralysed and I would like to take care of her. I hope that the community can get involved in helping me reach my dream,” he said.
Principal of the Eoan Dance Group, of which Faakhir is a member, Abida Medel, said Faakhir is most deserving of t he scholarship. “He is not only talented but he has become a role model and a beacon of light to all at the group,” she said.
To help Faakhir with his expenses contact Applauz Arts Initiative at applauz.arts. initiative@gmail.com. To help assist with ballet gear e-mail Nigel Lucas at naluc@ hotmail.com and for school uniform items Dominic Paulsen at dominicpaulsen@ gmail.com. Or contact The Eoan Group on 021 637 1268.