HOT Cares Kits Out Dance Group and Bounce Online Joins the Party

It’s always great to see those who have gone on to achieve great things away from their community return to that same community and use that experience to do some good.

That’s what Patric ‘Lefty’ Mbenge did, after returning to Randfontein, having toured the world as a dancer, including working with the legendary Johnny Clegg and choreographing the TV show ‘So You Think You Can Dance South Africa’.

Unfortunately, ‘Lefty’ – as Patric is known – didn’t like what he saw, shocked at how drugs and alcohol abuse had infiltrated his community. He felt the need to try and make a change and somehow protect the kids in his community and give them something to work towards.

So, Patric founded ‘Lefty’s Dance Academy’, which is based in Mohlakeng in Randfontein. They have 22 children in their dance group, aged eight to 15. They practice outside school hours on a Friday and perform free shows in the townships, take part in competitions, and attend dance showcases.

“Doing these shows and working towards performances helps build their confidence and keeps them focused, motivated, and off the streets,” said Patric, when HOT 102.7FM’s Big Joburg Drive team called him up and chatted to him on their show.

He went on to tell them that dance had not only provided him with life-changing experiences, but also given him focus and something to work towards.

The kids in his dance group are now benefitting in a similar way, but Patric wants to take things to the next level.

“The children need dancewear for their performances,” he told the Big Joburg Drive. “It is so important for them to feel unified and give them a visible sense of belonging within their dance group.”

That makes perfect sense and it gives Hot Cares an opportunity to get involved and help where we can.

With that in mind, Hot Cares will be taking care of new dance gear for the entire group, to the value of R11 000!

But, that’s not all.

Hot Cares has some fantastic partners and we reached out to Bounce Online, the sound, lighting, studio, and musical instrument platform. They didn’t blink, with Gavin Deysel from Bounce Online confirming that they would be able to provide Patric with a complimentary 12-inch Bluetooth speaker that works on mains as well as battery, meaning loadshedding will not be an issue, along with a wireless microphone with speaker and stand – all to the value of R4000!

Similarly, if you are a prospective partner of Hot Cares, or if you are in a position to donate towards making a meaningful difference, or have a story to alert us to, or a programme you’d like to partner with Hot Cares on, please get in touch with us by emailing info@hotcares.co.za.