Introducing Zip Zap USA
Supporting South Africa’s youth through circus outreach programs. Free to all children, we fund these programs through a combination of public performances, fundraising events, grants and donations from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Our Impact
Since 1992, Zip Zap has changed the lives of young people, regardless of their ability to pay. A career in the circus is not the goal of social circus programs (although many Zip Zap kids have gone on to perform as professionals around the world!).
Rather, the objective of social circus is to increase self-awareness, individuality, collective unity, and self-discipline to transform the vision and capabilities of at-risk youth.
Our Story
Zip Zap USA continues the magic that began in Cape Town, South Africa, by creating awareness, managing fundraising, and supporting projects of Zip Zap South Africa.
A very special circus began in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1992. At that time, South Africa’s first democratic elections were still several years away, and the country was in turmoil, but international circus performer Brent van Rensburg felt called to return to his homeland. At the very moment when many people were leaving, Brent and his wife Laurence (who was also his trapeze partner!) moved to Cape Town. They were determined to help make Nelson Mandela’s dream of a rainbow nation into a reality. Together, they launched a project that would help create a global movement: circus for social transformation.
Zip Zap’s youth and outreach programs are offered free to all children.
We fund these programs through a combination of public performances, fundraising events, grants and donations from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Zip Zap’s
Programs Pyramid
Zip Zap’s youth and outreach programs are offered free to all children.
We fund these programs through a combination of public performances, fundraising events, grants and donations from individuals, foundations and corporates.
Ubuntu (Outreach)
The Ubuntu program allows us to provide an innovative and alternative patient support program, catering for children living with HIV and who receive anti-retroviral treatment at the clinic. The program delivers activities that create a fun environment as a base for children to play and learn.
Launched in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and the Khayelitsha clinic, the Ubuntu program now includes the St. Joseph’s Home RC Primary School. DONATE TO THIS PROGRAM
2nd Chance (Outreach)
The 2nd Chance program is in partnership with the HCI Foundation and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). Through this program we engage beneficiaries from primary schools, high schools, NGOs, and children’s homes in the most underserved areas across Cape Town. DONATE TO THIS PROGRAM
The Hood (Outreach)
The Hood aims to include children from the Salt River neighbourhood in Cape Town, where the Zip Zap Academy is based.
Through this program children, aged 6 to 17 years, are taught various circus disciplines in a novel, safe and fun environment. DONATE TO THIS PROGRAM
Khula Nathi (Outreach)
Khula Nathi “grow with us” is a Zip Zap Circus program that uses early childhood development principles to provide children with alternative and quality early learning experiences through circus arts and related activities, preparing them to start their first year of formal schooling. DONATE TO THIS PROGRAM
Isiseko (Youth)
Isiseko, meaning ‘foundation’ offers participants just that: a foundational understanding of and training in physical strength, circus techniques and the creative process. DONATE TO THIS PROGRAM
Simunye (Youth)
The program strives to instill the core values of Zip Zap through social cohesion, discipline and teamwork. With a more focused approach to learning and developing circus skills, and increased physical demands, participants commit to two weekly sessions, reaping the benefits of investing more time and training. DONATE TO THIS PROGRAM
Zappers (Youth)
The Zappers program identifies and nurtures talent within existing Zip Zap programs. Zappers focuses on imparting high-level circus expertise to youth 3 times per week and offers many performance opportunities. DONATE TO THIS PROGRAM
Dare2Dream (Youth)
Dare2Dream (D2D) is our flagship vocational full-time program. It provides youth with access to an alternative option to mainstream, often inaccessible, educational opportunities. DONATE TO THIS PROGRAM
The Zip Zap USA Directors
We have a dedicated and diverse board of directors guiding our mission and initiatives. Comprised of accomplished professionals from various backgrounds, our board members bring a wealth of expertise and passion to the organization.
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Alan Elliot Merschen
Board Member
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Elias Popa
Board Member
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Shannon Xhola
Board Member
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Beth Binns Schoellkopf
Board Member
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Josh Aviner
Board Member
Support Zip Zap &
Book MOYA For Your Next Event
MOYA is Zip Zap’s award-winning professional company.
These performers have all spent years honing their circus techniques and skills, whilst working their way up the various levels of Zip Zap’s program offerings.
Book MOYA for your next event. Reach out to us at events@zip-zap.org
Interested in learning more?
Reach out to us at
Testimonials
“In 2011, along with 30 Saltimbanco artists and employees, I had the privelege of visiting Zip Zap. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to experience firsthand the contagious joy, enthusiasm and hope shared by all those who come in contact with Zip Zap programs.
We at Cirque du Soleil salute Zip Zap’s remarkable social involvement and commitment to its community. Zip Zap is the living proof that actions speak louder than words and that the sky is the limit when we all come together! May your activities continue to inspire!”
— Daniel Lamarre, Former and CEO Cirque du Soleil
“Zip Zap taught me circus skills, but also self-respect and how to respect other people.”
— Zip Zap Beneficiary
“Zip Zap has made a change in me. Through Zip Zap, I believe I can also make a change to the next generation.”
— Zip Zap Beneficiary
Interested in supporting Support Zip Zap from the US?
Here are some ways to get involved.
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Collaborate with us
Join our esteemed list of partners, including the European Union via Erasmus+, SOS Children’s Villages, Kindermissionswerk, the French embassy, the Western Cape Department of Education, and many governmental organizations around the world. Let’s create circus magic together!
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Attend a Performance
We are in the process of planning our 2024 performance schedule throughout the U.S. Get on the list to be notified about events and performances coming to a location near you.
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Make a Donation
Children never pay to participate in our programs! Your donation, small or large, will make a real difference to a child AND is tax-deductible! Help us make circus magic happen for more children
Join Our Mailing List
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