Dance champ wows Gelvandale pupils

A HIP-HOP champ danced his way into the hearts of Port Elizabeth children yesterday with his words as well as his slick moves.

Former hip-hop world dance champion Blake Williams and 2nd Chance – a non-profit organisation assisting with drug abuse and rehabilitation – paid Fontein Primary school in Gelvandale a visit yesterday to educate youngsters about the dangers of drug abuse.

For Fontein deputy principal Mervin January this visit could not have come at a better time as the school has been battling with pupils caught up in the underworld of drugs and gangsterism.

2nd Chance's Jarryd Smith showed children vivid visuals of what dagga, tik and other mainstream drugs could do to the human body. He said their programme, under the umbrella of the Alviro Petersen Foundation, which focuses on creating better opportunities for youngsters from Gelvandale, took a preventative approach.

"We hope that once kids see with their own eyes how drugs can destroy you they will think twice before putting it to the test. We also try to show them that through sports, like Alviro did, and dance, like Blake did, you get to make smart choices," Smith said.

Williams, the Electric Boogie champion from Cape Town, invited youngsters to the assembly quad, showing them his world-class breakdancing moves.

Though the pupils were mesmerised by what his lean body could do – with some ambitiously trying to copy him – it was his wisdom that they cheered the most.

"I have always used my love for breakdance as my drive for success. What is your drive for success?" he asked. "If it's sport, you better start taking it seriously. If it's art, you better start taking it seriously too.

"When you do what you love, you'll always choose that above drugs, guns and trouble."

Alviro Petersen, the star Proteas test batsman, started the foundation to particularly reach out to youngsters at his alma maters, Fontein, Gelvandale High and Otto du Plessis.

Smith and Williams will be paying Gelvandale High and Otto du Plessis a visit tomorrow and on Friday. - Alvené du Plessis