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CNN Live Sunday

Circus Enriches South African Neighborhood

Aired February 24, 2002 - 11:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It's not unusual for kids to dream about running away to join the circus, right? But that dream is coming true for some young people in one of South Africa's toughest neighborhoods.

CNN's Cindy Strand takes us to Cape Flats.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CINDY STRAND, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Dimitri Slavis world champion trapeze artist, has come home to the Cape Flats, to offer a helping hand.

Dimitri left behind big money under the big top in Europe to run this circus school. He is instructor, social worker, father, and friend to about 15 core students who jumped at the chance to hang upside down, rather than hang out.

JUANITA WILKINSON, STUDENT: Usually, we had nothing to do. We just had to sit there, look at each other, stand on the corners, do this, do that. When I first came here, it all changed. Circus people (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

STRAND: Gangs rule their streets. About the only choice for recreation is alcohol and drugs. For some, just getting to the practices is a death-defying act.

DIMITRI SLAVIS, TRAPEZE ARTIST: When they see me coming with the white van, it's like, not to put a stigma on it, but it's like the Red Cross saving you and getting you out of that area now.

STRAND: For most of the students, Dimitri and his wife Nicky provide the only safety net they have ever known.

NICKY SLAVIS: For some of these families that really (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they come to us and it's like one big happy family basically.

STRAND: The Slavis' charge no tuition and are always walking a financial tightrope. Atop a truck that's hardly road worthy, they put their show on the road. On this day, lots of laughs in the roughest neighborhood of the Cape Flats.

SLAVIS: There's nothing better than feeling that people are clapping for you and seeing people's faces when they're enjoying themselves watching us.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One moment I was like a (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I'm still lazy but when I get to work, I like to work.

STRAND: Dimitri and Nicky teach something not even the top, most elite schools can guarantee, self-respect.

DIMITRI: The first time (UNINTELLIGIBLE) they couldn't believe it themselves that people thought so much of them. You can see them. They're all happy-go-lucky characters but weren't like that before they came here.

STRAND: Teamwork, discipline, and dedication, if teaching those skills count, then this is the greatest show on earth.

Cindy Strand, CNN, the Cape Flats, South Africa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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