Learners from Kleinberg Primary School graduated from the College of Magic school outreach programme which included learning juggling skills, magic effects and performing arts.
Project co-ordinator Noma Machaka said children aged 10 to 15, who are accepted into the six-week programme, are trained in the performing arts of theatrical magic.
“Around 50 disadvantaged youth are invited to submit completed questionnaires, motivating why their applications to join should be considered favourably.
“Over a six-week programme they learn theatrical magic skills based on magic with playing cards and other easily accessed magic effects; appropriate life skills are incorporated in the weekly sessions and juggling skills – with three ball-juggling taught to all the children and youth enrolled.”
During the programme, students take home equipment to practice the skills they have learned to later perform in front of family and friends.
Machaka says the programme aims to holistically educate young people and to develop employable skills among unemployed youth.
“During the training and mentoring, monitoring and evaluation take place through baseline and closing interviews and weekly observation of individual progress.”
She adds that the course provides supplementary tuition to achieve a greater understanding of educational theory and concepts through practical experience and demonstration.
“Once the programme has been completed, learners present theatrical magic and juggling performances in front of an audience of parents, schoolteachers, siblings, and friends where successful students are awarded graduation certificates.
“This process facilitates talent identification and the top eight students may be invited to attend further training at the College of Magic Centre in Claremont, our main campus.”
Each graduating student receives a branded tee-shirt and is then entertained by magicians from The College of Magic
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