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Taking South African Performing Arts to the World
The South African Championships of Performing Arts have the pleasure to announce the 20th edition of the South African World Championship in the Performing Arts which will be held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, from the 31 March to 9 April 2017 under the auspices of Beyond 2000 – Performing Arts Development. For the past 19 years the event was hosted by the City of Rustenburg in the North West Province.
Beyond 2000 has been a platform for the youth of South Africa since 1998 to excel in the performing arts space and competing on an international level their peers from around the world.
SACOPA is the brain child of Dr Ellen Roux who is also the President of the South African Association of Talent, Modelling and Entertainment (SAATME) and the license holder of The World Championships of Performing Arts. With 39 years of dedication to Arts and Culture Development, Dr Roux’s passion, love and dedication to all children of SA is aimed at providing the individuals with a career in the performing arts, which is not well catered for in our schooling system, unlike sports. Her dedication is providing a career development path specifically for young people from previously disadvantage communities.
The South African Championships of Performing Arts is the only recognised national competition for both novice and experienced performers, and includes the six disciplines in the performing arts, focusing on both junior and senior divisions.
As of today, we have had +- 650 number of entries in all categories and we hope by close of business tomorrow to have 3500 entries.
“We are grateful to the City of Rustenburg to have been our host for the past 19 years. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are happy to have secured our new home here at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Gauteng.” Dr Ellen Roux, founder of Beyond 2000 said.
We are thankful to the Gauteng Department of Arts & Culture that has provided support with their involvement in the accreditation process, making it easier for us to communicate with schools and the industry.
Currently, there are about 160 Educational Schools in Gauteng that are participating, more schools are involved where their learners attend music, drama and dance schools outside of the Departmental Schools. The breakdown per province varies on a yearly basis, with between +- 65 – 320 per province, depending on the province sending their contestants. The Western Cape have increased their numbers this year, but there is still a lot to do.