Cape Town - A Hout Bay dancer is using the art of dance to bring healing to the community of Hangberg.
Ricardo Koopman, 60, says he has been changing lives one dance move at a time through the Hangberg Dream Recovery programme he heads alongside director Zulpha October.
Through his expertise, Koopman has dedicated his life to sharing his transformative power of dance with recovering substance abuse addicts. His passion extends to helping adults find a sense of responsibility and reflection.
Over the years, Koopman has travelled the world to teach and perform his craft, with a focus on children, but later found a greater need in the adult therapy programmes.
“My love for children is immense, but I've found joy in teaching dance therapy and fitness to adults. Dance saved my life during apartheid times, and I'm committed to sharing its transformative power with others.”
His pure passion for dance is contagious, inspiring clients to embrace their own journey of self-discovery and growth.
Koopman is doing so at no cost. Speaking to the Weekend Argus from his home, he said: “Today I don't even have sugar or milk to put into my coffee but I have God and he humbles me. I do this rehabilitation programme with lots of people and, on most occasions, I don't even know their names. That's how many people I meet to teach dance to.”
Forty dancers from his programme will perform their first production,
Dance Therapy: A Beacon of Hope, with the Hout Bay Harbour Rehabilitation Centre at the Hangberg Sport Centre for a spectacular fund-raiser showcasing the transformative power of dance in rehabilitation.
The upcoming show is a testament to the group's dedication and commitment. With a focus on punctuality, attendance and participation, the individuals have demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience.
Their testimonies speak to the profound impact that dance has had on their lives, from newfound confidence to emotional healing.
To bring the vision to life, the group seeks support in the form of:
* Dance equipment: mats, balls, elastics, mirrors, music systems.
* Stage setup: 25m of white or black backdrop and two free-standing spotlights.
* Hall decoration: assistance from a company to transform the Hangberg Sport Centre into a vibrant performance space.
Tickets to the show costs R100 and booking is essential. Call Ricardo at 062 376 8394 or Zulpha at 062 291 4713 to book.