Drums, flags and glamour: Moot Drummies catching the shine

The distinctive rhythm of upbeat music echoes across the fields at Hollandia Soccer Club in the Moot every week, signalling the start of practice for the vibrant and enthusiastic Moot Angels Drummie and Cadet Club.

As the senior drummie coach Angelique Kotze calls out, “When you hear the audio, you are in competition,” it is clear that this is no ordinary drill.

The air glows with excitement as the club members prepare for their rigorous routines.

Glamorous costumes, complete with tall busby hats (fur caps that are the hallmark of the drummie tradition), glint under the sun.

The blue and gold tunics are buttoned tight, the maces and flags carefully inspected and polished, ready for a performance blending athleticism with artistry.

“We come to practice well-equipped,” said Kotze. “From our costumes to our first-aid kits, it is all about safety and showing up prepared for the hard work ahead.”

The heart of the practice is a blend of conditioning, technical drills, and choreographed routines that bring glamour to life.

The group starts with core strengthening exercises and arm rotations, essential for maintaining the poise needed to twirl maces and toss flags high into the air.

“Even when you see a broomstick, you want to start twirling it like a mace,” said coach Ashleigh Visser, a former drummie at CBC Mount Edmund.

Members practice solo twirls, mastering figure-eights and overhead spins, with coaches providing feedback on timing and form.

Flag drills progress from basic tosses to intricate sequences that mirror the high-energy routines of competition.

The team breaks into smaller groups to rehearse synchronised moves, ensuring perfect co-ordination as flags flicker and maces spin in harmony.

Towards the end of the session, the group practises the entire routine while fully dressed in their costumes, from the busby hats to their boots.

It is an opportunity to refine spacing, timing, and the dramatic effects essential for their upcoming competitions.

One member in particular stands out. Elri van der Westhuizen, a first-year BSc Physics student at the University of Pretoria, is in her second year with the club and is already making waves.

After several achievements at the provincial championships, Van der Westhuizen’s expertise in routine development and training has earned her the admiration of her peers and coaches alike.

“I have been with the team since after high school, and it has been amazing to grow and get back to my roots in drumming,” she shared.

“This is my second year competing, and I am looking forward to seeing how we perform in September.”

The Moot Angels Drummie and Cadet Club is more than just a place for training.

It is a family, a legacy, and a community space for those who may not always fit into traditional sport.

The club was founded by two local sisters, Ashleigh Visser and Angelique Kotze, who recognised that students in the area needed something creative and engaging.

“It is an expensive activity, with the costs of costumes and competition days. Drummies must have dedicated parents. It is, however, an invaluable experience for individuals who do not necessarily fit into other extra-mural activities.”

The sisters’ mother, Catherine Kotze, drummie herself in the early 80s at Loretta Convent, continues to be deeply involved with the club while also working as a sports photographer. Despite her busy career, she still picks up a mace now and then for fun.

For many of the club’s members, being a drummie is more than just a hobby. It is a lifelong passion.

Visser reflected: “Once a drummie, always a drummie. Drumming gets in your blood, and it never really goes away.”

This commitment extends beyond the physicality of drumming and into a shared culture of support and camaraderie.

“We are like family here,” said Van der Westhuizen. “I like the coaches because they are respectful and understand our emotions.”

The club is gearing up for September 6, when they will participate in their last competition of the season, featuring solo, duo, and trio performances.

The Moot Angels Drummies have built an impressive track record over the past two years, particularly in their flag routines, which have earned them a reputation as “the team who throws their flags”.

And, in the words of Kotze: “We are all a little crazy. Our signature move is throwing our flags. There is a risk involved, but that is part of the magic”.

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