On the 24th of September, Heritage Day in South Africa, a group of children from The Atlas Foundation programme swapped the sports field for the gallery floor.
The children were accompanied by their Atlas coach and media teacher for a trip to the Zietz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. For many, it was their first visit to a museum, and their first chance to see contemporary African art up close.
Heritage Day celebrates the culture, traditions and stories that make up the diverse country of South Africa. The museum, the largest in the world dedicated to contemporary art from Africa, gave the children a chance to see that exact heritage for themselves.
More Than Art
For the Atlas children, from Masiphumelele High School, the day was more than art. These experiences show the young that creative and cultural spaces are within reach of them; through this, it highlights how their own stories and ambitions matter. It was an outing that reinforced dreams and aspirations.
The Wider Picture
The visits reflect Atla’s broader aims. Sport is the foundation, but it is used to open doors to education, inclusion and health alike. New experiences beyond the pitch and classroom are vital in providing children with the necessary tools for life.
Atlas wishes everyone in South Africa a very happy Heritage Day!
