For the past few weeks, the 29-member all-girl drummie team have been practising daily at the Bellville Velodrome to prepare themselves for the nationals kicking off today.
Youngsters from Delft, Leiden, Kraaifontein and Elsies River are among those in the Brackenfell Junior Majorettes.
Coach Collette Soffberg says she is proud of her team, who have made it to the nationals in Oudtshoorn through trials and tribulations.
“We are excited to be competing at the national competition from 4 to 7 July. We are ready to show off our hard work,” Collette says.
Dad Warren Frieslaar says he is happy to see that meisies from disadvantaged backgrounds are getting a better chance at life.
“We are very happy that our children have achieved such success, especially because these girls come from these different areas and they are part of a well known team,” Warren says.
John Williams, whose 11-year-old daughter Kiara Williams is a drummie, says she has changed so much and for the better since she has joined the team.
“Kiara is like another person. She used to be an introvert but it’s like she got out from her shell. She is now also more disciplined and academically she has improved so much,” he says.
“Every parent wants their child to progress in life and there’s always a worry that joining a sport might take their minds off their studies, but this is not the case here."
The girls have been practising for 12 hours daily, from 8am to 8pm since the start of their June holidays.
They hope their sacrifice will pay off and are aiming for gold, their coach says.