After intense preparations, the time finally arrived to release the condensed anticipatory energies.
In the middle of Youth Month, the driving community forces of inner-Roodepoort regeneration launched what has the potential to re-invigorate the area’s young minds. Spearhead by Marika Gregory of Creative Rabbit Studios, in collaboration with Roodepoort ICE and Roodepoort Sports Academy (RSA), the grand vision of an eclectic educational space became a vivid reality.
Officially known as The Imagination Hub, a platform now exists for young creatives to share the joys of art and literature with the budding brains of tomorrow. The need for positive role models is critical in nurturing young talent into influential figures, and The Imagination Hub is bursting with youthful examples of excellence. Authors, musicians, students, psychologists, therapists and sports coaches are just a sample of the types of leaders that are funnelling their area of expertise into the greater cause.
Launched at Roodepoort City Hall on June 12, The Imagination Hub will be a weekly workshop where a variety of activities will be offered, tailored by the relevant leaders. “The Imagination Hub is a book and art club that will focus on all forms of literacy, partnering it with an art class as a way of comprehension and expression. We believe children need to be given a platform where they can be creative as it unlocks and builds the mind,” said RSA’s Thabo Radebe.
Tsepho Buthelezi of Roodepoort Body Care got the day started with his trademark aerobics class on the lawns of City Hall, where after Marika and company began the frenetic setting up for the noon kickoff. Themed decorations, a field of hearts and chalk art messages of positivity brought life to the solemn municipal building. Pop-up games of chalk drawn tic, tac toe and snakes and ladders gave children and adults alike ample afternoon fun.
Quality grooves and commentary were provided by Tsepho Selepe and BigBoy Shaun of Coffee N Deep House Concept Studio before the main programme began. A motivational talk, an art installation presentation and a magician were the highlights of this catalytic event. “If the mission was to bring colour and smiles to the children’s faces, I feel confident that we most definitely did a great job,” said Marika.
The intended byproduct of the initiative is to inspire the youth to embrace positive decision-making. “This will help keep our children safe and out of trouble. As we involve our children from young ages in such creative channels, when they are older it will be their coping mechanism instead of relying on sources that are of harm to them. As ICE, our objective is to keep everyone safe and create an attractive environment for all,” said Aaqilah Seedat, Roodepoort ICE’s media liaison.
“A very special thank you to everyone who made this a possibility. My vision for this programme is to plant the seeds when it’s most needed in kids’ lives,” stated Marika. Art is about turning the mundane into a spectacle of inspirational beauty, and The Imagination Hub goes one step further, as Marika says, “Through literature and art, we help enable them not only to imagine the impossible, but to consciously manifest it into being”.
