Welcome! Siyakwemukela! Welkom! Kamohelo!
Clowns Without Borders South Africa is an artist-led humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the psychosocial condition of children and communities in areas of crisis through laughter and play.
We also seek to raise our society’s awareness of conditions in these areas.
Founded in 2004, Clowns Without Borders South Africa has implemented more than 500 interventions with performances and residencies for over 210,000 children and caregivers. Countries where we have worked include South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Southern Sudan, and Ethiopia.
CWB-South Africa maintains a spirit of peace, joy, compassion and loving kindness in all of our endeavors.
Please feel free to browse our website to find out more information about Projects, Partners, Press, and ways you can support our work!
Thank you! Siyabonga! Dankie! Rea Leboha!
Clowns Without Borders is thrilled to have received funding from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to support Project Lithe'tha ("The Sun Is Shining" in isiXhosa). This project is focused on addressing HIV/AIDS in rural communities in the Eastern Cape.
On 05 April 2013 at our Annual General Meeting, Clowns Without Borders South Africa presented the annual programme and financial report to our management committee, artistic community, and communities partners.
If you were not able to make it, please download a copy of the presentation below.
Peace and laughter,
Jamie
Join us on 23 November for a benefit for its UBUNTU CLOWN FUN(D) to support new projects for children affected by HIV/AIDS, violence, and poverty.
The Benefit show boasts a not-to-be missed programme:
Storytellers Gcina Mhlophe and Nomusa Xaba
Live music Thulile Zama, Nje and the South Jersey Pom Poms
Hello! Phumzile Sitole here! Aka – maJobe. Mthiyane. Maphita.
Those are my praise names. I’m Zulu and in the past two weeks have enjoyed bringing joy to the people that decorate the naturally beautiful landscape of KwaZulu Natal. The communities, in particular the children, decorate this land with their array of smiles, hope, dried snot, bright eyes and most importantly – their melodic laughter. This tour has been a privilege and the experiences I will take away with me are thoroughly special.
Best. Show. Ever.
It's 4am and I'm wide awake. I have just had a dream where I am late for a gig and don't have a costume and I'm running around stressed out of my mind. For some reason this seems to have made me not want to get back to sleep. I do manage to drop off again but still wake up before my alarm. I seem to have fallen into a rural rhythm. I stumble off to the shower and get ready for another day of shows out here in rural KZN.
Hamburg, Eastern Cape – Today marks my first week of being in the Eastern Cape with the Clowns Without Borders South Africa. While they have a 3 week journey behind them including rehearsals and acquainting themselves with the community, I come as an intern not quite sure what to expect. Stepping off the bus in Eastern London, I am battered and bruised from a 10 hour long drive and the team working on the Lithe’tha Project in Hamburg, Eastern Cape patiently await me with posters. I am glad to be picked up but also to be welcomed so warmly, hugs and smiles.
The first week of our performance began with a bang!!! Although we did our ‘test show’ on Friday, we were still a bit nervous about how the children would respond to the show. Monday morning @7:30 the clowns were on the road. At the first school, they found the principal and the staff were so welcoming.