Young Clarina girls shine through drum majorettes
Molomo’s goal is to provide a positive and structured environment where girls can thrive, stay out of trouble, and focus on their personal growth.
In the heart of Clarina in the north of Pretoria, a group of girls has found a safe space to express their creativity, develop discipline, and build confidence through the art of drum majorettes.
The Stars of Clarina, founded by Kgadi Molomo, is more than just a performance group; it is a community initiative to empower young girls to believe in their potential and pursue their dreams.
Molomo has long been passionate about youth development and before moving to Clarina in 2018, led a similar initiative in Ga-Rankuwa, which ended when she relocated.
Her drive to uplift young people remained strong and seeing a need in her community, she decided to rekindle her vision and start the Stars of Clarina.
“I’ve always believed in the power of young people and the importance of giving them opportunities to grow.
“When I moved to Clarina, I saw the chance to create something special for the girls here,” shared Molomo.
The group began with girls from her church, but it soon grew as girls invited their friends.
Molomo’s goal was to provide a positive and structured environment where the girls could thrive, stay out of trouble and focus on their personal growth.
Over time, the group expanded to include girls from all over the neighbourhood.
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Though the initiative started with minimal resources, support from parents and the community has helped.
According to Molomo, parents contributed towards uniforms and helped organise the group’s first year-end function.
“The parents have been so supportive because they have contributed what they can, even though we still have many resource challenges.
“One of the major challenges has been securing funding for essentials such as uniforms, proper drums and a choreographer,” said Molomo.
She said despite the challenges, the dedication of both the girls and their families has kept the group moving forward.
“We’ve had to rely on small contributions from parents and community efforts, but the kids’ passion and commitment make it all worth it.”
The group also faces space constraints, as they currently practise in Molomo’s yard.
She hopes to find a larger space where the girls can practise safely.
“Right now, my yard is small, and as we grow, we will need a proper centre for the girls to train and continue expanding.
The girls’ transformation has been amazing: From being shy and unsure of their abilities, they’ve blossomed into confident, disciplined individuals.
The girls have embraced their roles with enthusiasm and support each other like sisters. Their teamwork has grown stronger with each practice,” said Molomo.
The group has also taught the girls valuable life lessons, from discipline and focus to perseverance and teamwork.
“What stands out to me the most is how they keep each other accountable. If someone is missing, they call them.
They are not just learning how to perform; they are learning how to be there for one another,” shared Molomo.
She said the group’s immediate goal is to raise funds to join the Drum Majorettes Association, which would open up opportunities for the girls to compete on a larger scale.
“We also need funds to purchase three proper drums. These resources will be critical for the group to continue growing and gaining confidence.
“Boys also need spaces like this, so I hope we can one day provide a variety of activities for all young people in Clarina.”
The Stars of Clarins drum majorettes aren’t just a group of girls learning routines; they represent hope, resilience, and the power of community.
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By giving the young girls a platform to express themselves, Molomo is helping to share future leaders who will carry the lessons they’ve learned further.
“I hope the group inspires other initiatives in the community.
We need more platforms where children can explore their talents and grow. My dream is for Stars of Clarina to be a shining example of what’s possible when we come together to invest in our youth.”
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