South Africa

In 2003, Tom Georgio and Johnny Hyams, both Abolição Oxford students, visited Hamburg, South Africa to work with the Keiskamma Trust. They taught Capoeira informally to a group of young people in the town and encouraged them to continue training.

Returning the following year with fellow Capoeirista Naila Fayers-Kerr and teacher Contra-Mestre Negão, they found Capoeira had become one of the most popular activities in the town, with dozens of children and young people training and teaching each other.

South Africa faces one of the most severe AIDS epidemics in the works. In 2007, there were almost 1,000 AIDS days every day. Working alongside the Keiskamma Trust, The Abolição Trust aims to help young people educate themselves to lead healthy, active lives. The Capoeira group provides a regular, safe activity for young people and allows them to access further support and education.

In 2008, The Abolição Trust funded the second annual exchange project between Hamburg and Salvador, Brazil. Students Besouro and Lampiao took the trip of a lifetime to the birthplace of Capoeira. In turn, Professor Rupi and 17 year-old Teimoso traveled to Hamburg to train with the South African Capoeiristas.

These exchanges help fuel enthusiasm for Capoeira, raise the profile of both projects and build an international link for all the children and young people involved.

>> Hear more from the South African students
>> Images from the South African project