Hip hop icon Ready D had a lekker Human Rights Day in Mitchells Plain when he entertained star-struck laaities on Monday.
The community-based organisation Hopes and Dreams hosted a fun day for local children and asked the celebrity radio star to join them.
Over 100 kids attended the event at the Farm Recreation Centre in Lentegeur where they were treated to music, dance classes, art classes and a football tournament.
Ready D was supposed to have the laaities dancing to their favourite beats, but says this could not happen due to a problem with the sound.
However, he spent time chatting to them. He told the Daily Voice: “I am honoured to have been invited to this event.
“It was mind-blowing to see so many kids attend the event, it was a really phenomenal effort by Hopes and Dreams and I hope that more people are able to do it.
“These types of projects are really needed in Cape Town, and in fact the entire country, because they provide a safe place for the children to play but also learn the true meaning of human rights.
“At the end of the day, the children are the future and they are the ones that need to be looked after.”
Hopes and Dreams founder, Kim Cassels, said they have helped a number of children this year from areas such as Lenteguer and Beacon Valley, while she is also currently running a donation drive to collect warm clothes and books for the children as winter approaches.
I am truly moved by the dedication of everyone that’s here in Mitchell’s Plain for youth today. Thank you Kim Cassels for inviting me to this initiative. #hopesanddreams #BeTheChange #TheGoodVibes
Posted by DJ Ready D onMonday, March 22, 2021
“We have about 60 kids coming to the centre in The Farm everyday while we also have a group that meets in Beacon Valley,” she explains.
“Even when it rained recently, I saw that the kids are still coming but a lot of them do not have warm clothes and I see that many of them cannot read, so I want to start a reading programme about twice a week.
“I have also noticed that most of the children attend Merrydale Primary, so I am trying to start a programme with them as well.”
Cassels, who is a dance instructor, hosts a dancing class as well as arts and craft lessons with her two coaches and a volunteer at the centre.
“We do not offer any free food or anything but everyday we have children coming to the centre.
“This just shows that they want something positive in their lives and that they need the programme.”
To donate clothing and children’s books to Hopes and Dreams, contact.