A unique four-day production at the District Six Homecoming Centre in Cape Town brought together young acrobats and musicians this Heritage Month. The event, called Full Tilt, was a joint showcase by Zip Zap Circus and the School of Rock, featuring 25 Zip Zap performers and 11 School of Rock musicians aged between 11 and 33. The production combined contemporary circus performance with live rock music, blending acrobatics and classic circus acts with a live musical score.
Zip Zap Circus co-founder Brent van Rensburg said the project reflected the organisation's core vision of bringing children from different backgrounds together through circus arts. Van Rensburg established Zip Zap in 1992 with his wife, Laurence Estève van Rensburg, after returning to South Africa from years performing overseas as a circus artist. The organisation began humbly at Zimasa Primary School in Langa with minimal equipment and has since expanded significantly while remaining true to its founding principles.
Zip Zap has provided free training to over 25,000 young people since its inception, with 1,493 participants in 2025 alone. The non-profit organisation operates 10 programmes, including five outreach and five skills development initiatives, from its Salt River academy. These programmes equip young people with practical skills for the performing arts industry, employment, and entrepreneurship. According to Vanessa, a relationship manager at Zip Zap, every cent earned from performances goes back into funding their programmes.
One performer who has benefited from Zip Zap's programmes is Phelelani Ndakrokra, who joined the organisation in 2010. Ndakrokra was captivated by circus performances and eventually trained as a professional performer and teacher through Zip Zap's three-year Dare to Dream programme. He has since toured internationally and performed alongside notable South African musicians, including Freshlyground and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Full Tilt production featured seven energetic performances, with artists reacting directly to musicians on stage rather than following a fixed recording. This dynamic brought a unique energy to the show, with performers sharing their stories through their acts. The event was supported by the Western Cape Government's Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, with ticket sales directly supporting Zip Zap's free educational programmes.
The collaboration between Zip Zap Circus and the School of Rock reflects the organisations' shared goal of fostering unity, talent, and creative expression through the arts. Zip Zap's work has been recognised by former President Nelson Mandela, who encouraged the troupe to continue its work after a performance in 1995. The organisation's 34-year mission continues to inspire young people and promote social cohesion through circus arts.
The success of Full Tilt highlights the importance of arts initiatives in promoting unity and creative expression. By providing free training and performance opportunities, organisations like Zip Zap Circus and the School of Rock are empowering young people and contributing to the development of the performing arts industry in South Africa. The event's impact will be felt beyond the four-day production, with ticket sales supporting Zip Zap's ongoing programmes and inspiring future generations of performers.
Key points
- The Full Tilt production brought together 25 Zip Zap performers and 11 School of Rock musicians for a unique blend of circus and live music.
- Zip Zap Circus has provided free training to over 25,000 young people since its inception in 1992.
- The event's ticket sales will directly support Zip Zap's free educational programmes, continuing the organisation's 34-year mission.
