South African drum majorettes have marched their way to medals and gold champ cups galore thanks to their marvellous efforts at the World Championships!
Agen, France (24 July 2024) — South African drum majorettes have marched their way to medals galore thanks to marvellous efforts at the World Championship of Majorette-Sport & Merry Majorette International Cup held in Agen, France, where 25 teams from around the world competed and 191 displays were underway.
Team members from all walks of life formed South Africa’s all-star team as part of the Federation of Dance, Drill, Cheerleading and Majorette of South Africa (FDDCMSA), where they represented not only the proud flag of the Rainbow Nation but also the unsung flags of their communities.
Proud mom Lauren van Wyk tells Good Things Guy that many of the participating girls from Cape Town have risen above the challenges of their lives to be crowned champions.
“[These are] girls from all broads and walks of life in and around Cape Town; broken families and very difficult circumstances…but they rise above the challenges they face and they make the most with what they love…and that is being a drum majorette.”
While the medals will forever sparkle as recognition of their achievements as a team, they also symbolise many personal achievements of the parents who fundraised against the odds and did their best to get their children to France for the big competition.
“I’m a proud mother of one of the athletes who had to fundraise all on their own raising R50k to get her daughter to France for the world championships. This sport isn’t recognised by our government, but it’s okay our girls and boys make us proud when they perform…we don’t have the money but we fundraise the hell out of it.”
Lauren adds that there were so many who couldn’t attend and had to withdraw.
The team returns to South Africa today as symbols of hope for every youngster from Kuilsriver, Macassar, Atlantis and other areas where dreams hold communities together. The South African drum majorettes bring back with them 11 gold champion cups, 13 silver and 7 bronze medals, with the Western Cape cohort earning three gold, five silver and a bronze.
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But what also stood out from this team was their infectious South African spirit, most evident in their determination to see our anthem through.
“When only a part of our anthem was played at the last prize giving these girls took it upon themselves to finish our anthem… they did not go to France for themselves, they went and represented their country with pride and honour and as a mother of one of these stars I could not be any prouder of not only my child but the whole SA team.”
Like many parents of children who are in sports that need more national support and play a vital role in the well-being of youngsters, Lauren hopes that the government will recognise this team’s achievements as a testament to what can happen when the youth’s dreams are supported.
“I sure hope that government will soon recognise the sport so more athletes would be able to travel and see the world, and that our children can see there is more to life than just gangs, drugs and violence.”
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