Full Tilt brings circus and live music to District Six

From 23 to 26 September, the District Six Homecoming Centre hosted Full Tilt, a four-day production combining Zip Zap Circus and the School of Rock. The event united 25 Zip Zap performers and 11 musicians aged between 11 and 33, showcasing acrobatics, live music, and classic circus acts in seven energetic performances. Zip Zap co-founder Brent van Rensburg, who returned to South Africa after performing overseas, established the organization in 1992 to bring children of diverse backgrounds together through circus arts.

In 1995, during a performance for former president Nelson Mandela, Zip Zap pledged to contribute to South Africa's rainbow nation. Over three decades, Zip Zap has expanded significantly, providing free training to 1,493 young people in 2025 and more than 25,000 participants since its inception. The organization operates 10 programs from its Salt River academy, aiming to equip young people with performing arts industry skills, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Zip Zap's mission is to empower young people, providing them with opportunities to shape their futures, as Vanessa, a relationship manager, explained. The group's performances directly support its free educational programs, continuing a 34-year commitment to fostering unity, talent, and creative expression through circus arts. Phelelani Ndakrokra, a Zip Zap performer since 2010, showcased this mission by transitioning from circus obscurity to international tours alongside artists such as Freshlyground, The Parlotones, and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.

Performances featuring live bands, like Full Tilt, offer a unique dynamic, as artists must engage directly with musicians on stage rather than adhering to fixed recordings.