The founder of Stilt Walkers and Clowns, Lehlohonolo Shoalai, and his crew from Bronville, Welkom, have taken their craft to greater heights after they were invited to participate in the Cape Town Carnival.
The stilts are walking devices that make the person wearing them appear much taller than usual. When using stilts, the user stands on foot rests and walks along, far above the ground.
Shoalai and his crew have been doing this since 2009 and have recently started to teach stilt walking to children, along with other popular circus activities as they are well-knowledged and experienced in these acts.
According to Shoalai he and his crew have performed at shows or gatherings like the Bloem Show in Bloemfontein, and annual festivities in Lesotho and Swaziland.
Everything was put on hold, however, because of continual load shedding. The team did not abandon their dream and love for stilting so they continued to use the art to their advantage by doing skilled work like building greenhouses for farmers using their stilts for added height.
Five of the stilt walkers and clowns have been chosen to be a part of the two-day Cape Town carnival show. In order to attend, however, they need assistance with transport and accommodation to represent Bronville and Matjhabeng in Cape Town.
For more information, contact Shoalai on 068-371-4108 or Tshepo Mathlakau on 073-061-1233.
