Paul Modjadji says Dare to Dream

Everyone has dreams; for Paul Modjadji that dream is to help people reach their full potential.

The Brand ambassador for the City of Tshwane and the Daring to Dream movement, Modjadji is the driving force behind the project. As a big dreamer himself, his story, to live his dream has resulted in him dancing on international stages; a solid example of what is possible for young people if they follow their dreams.

“The Daring to Dream movement is a partnership between myself and internationally renowned Khulisa Social Solutions,” said Modjadji.

The Daring to Dream movement aims to appeal to young people’s creativity and to encourage them to make a difference by giving backKhulisa Social Solutions is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that addresses social vulnerabilities through multiple partnerships and internationally acclaimed best-practice programmes. It is a movement that aims to help South African youth build their dreams.

“Khulisa Social Solutions is bringing in capacity and years of experience of working within the social development sphere, as well as scientific techniques of measuring the movement’s impact and success,” said Modjadji.

WORKSHOPS

Putting his motivational skills to the test, Modjadji will travel the country giving back to more than 10 000 children, hosting 10 workshops across the nation.

Modjadji will conduct some 10 workshops in partnership with Khulisa and other NGOs.

Workshops across Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West Province, KwaZulu-Natal will tackle unique social problems, as identified by Khulisa. It is estimated that over 1 000 community members will be reached during this period. Phase two, covering the rest of the country, will kick off in early 2014.

The departments of Social Development and Arts and Culture, local business and other parties will monitor each region’s progress through social media platforms. This will be done to reward the community that achieves the most, and to promote an entrepreneurial spirit amongst youth through support, mentoring and corporate volunteerism.

“What makes the Daring to Dream movement unique is the platform; it allows for young people to begin to visualise a dream for themselves and the community they want to live in.”

The movement inspires young people to begin to think positively and proactively and to use their creativity. It pushes the message that a brighter future begins with a thought, followed through. Young people are appealed to to imagine, dream and visualise the future they would like to see, said Modjadji.

The Daring to Dream movement was launched on the 31 August 2013 in Tembisa, East Rand, Gauteng, to promote the idea of a society where young people are heard, encouraged and motivated. The movement aims to appeal to young people’s creativity and to encourage them to make a difference by giving back.

Three divisions have been set up to help promote this project; a theatre company launched in Modjadji’s hometown, Hammanskraal; an annual art workshop and a Dare to Dream t-shirt line.

Modjadji began the project in 2011 under the Dare to Dream Art Workshops.

LET’S DANCE

The movement inspires young people to begin to think positively and proactively and to use their creativity. After completing his matric in 2002 Modjadji received a scholarship to attend the Danseorkestret Dance Foundation in Denmark; in the same year he received the Global Young Leaders Award from the Washington, DC-based Global Young Leaders Congress.

He returned to South Africa in 2003, to study at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Dance programme. In 2004 he landed a role on popular soapie Backstage, much loved by South African youth.

Qualifications mounting, in 2005 he graduated with a degree in media studies and journalism, majoring in writing. He was selected to represent South Africa at the World Dance Championships in Germany in the same year, and – as a dancer and choreographer – represented the South African Department of Arts and Culture at the India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum in India in 2008.

He graduated from Faissit Business College in 2010, qualifying as a project manager and performed in the 2010 Fifa World Cup opening and closing ceremonies.

In 2011 Modjadji became the first African to win the European Dance Union (ESDU) World Dance Championships for the Jazz Division in Croatia, and in 2012, won the South African Youth Award in arts and entertainment.

This year in May he coached 19-year-old Katlego Moela to win the 2013 ESDU Hip Hop World Dance Championship in Croatia.

He has also been roped in to choreograph South Africa’s first dance film set to show in 2014 next year.

For more information visit his website.

By: Bhekumuzi Mdakane

Source: www.playyourpart.co.za