Drummies blaze a trail to nationals

For the third consecutive year, Buren High School's majorettes have qualified for the 2025 South African Majorettes and Cheerleading Association (SAMCA) National Championships.

Funded by the Ward 55 budget, the project began four years ago.

Behind the glitter of uniforms and the precision of twirling batons lies a story of resilience, sisterhood, and the unshakable spirit of young women striving to change their futures.

Eighteen-year-old Layla Kippie, who has been part of the Buren High squad since primary school, said she began her journey into drum majorettes, or “drummies,” not with dreams of national championships, but with heartbreak.

“I was in Grade 4 and had shaved my head to support my aunty who was battling cancer, and I was bullied because I didn’t have hair. People thought I was a boy, and I felt left out of everything - even sport,” she said.

Everything changed when she joined the majorettes programme at Ysterplaat Primary School. 

“Coach Fabian took me in. That’s why I joined - I finally had a place,” she said.

From a squad girl in Grade 4, Layla rose through the ranks. In Grade 7, she became the leader of the small drill team, a role she has now held for six years straight.

 In 2023, she became team captain.

By Grade 9, she had earned her provincial colours, and in Grade 11, she successfully trialed for the South African team.

This July, she will perform in the Oudtshoorn Nationals as a six-time small drill leader.

But the journey hasn’t been easy.

“Training sessions are tough. Even practices are intense - we drill and correct every mistake. Yes, there’s fun, but when we hit the field, it’s hard work all the way,” she said.

She remembers walking into her first Western Province trials knowing nothing about handling a mace. “It was all about learning control- not just of the mace, but of myself,” she said.

What drummies have taught her, she says, goes far beyond choreography, and this is what she shares with her teammates.

“I’ve learned that consistency is the key to success. Even if you’re hurting or going through something hard, you have to keep going. If you give up now, you’ll never know what tomorrow could bring,” said Layla.

Layla said being part of the drummies has taught her self-respect, teamwork, discipline, and that nothing comes for free.

“You have to work hard for what you want,” she said.

The Buren team trains every Friday and Saturday, and before big competitions, all Friday afternoons are dedicated to drilling routines.

Now in matric, Layla hopes to coach one day - to pass on what she’s gained.

 “Even if you’re new and it feels hard, I promise it gets better. The more you work, the more you grow,” she said.

Councillor Fabian Ah-Sing, who initiated the drummies programme at Ysterplaat Primary, continues to support the Buren High team as they prepare for Nationals 2025.

He has recently started a BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign to help get the girls to the National Championships from Monday, July 7, until Saturday, July 12.

He said he and some of the parents, including Layla’s mom, Nadia Kippie, have been raising funds during the year,, but despite their efforts they have not yet raised enough money for all participants to attend.

“We’ve been doing fundraisers, and we have sponsors who continue to support us. We also have a BackaBuddy campaign set up to help ensure no child is left behind,” he said

He believes in the power of this community project.

“With majorettes, young girls are part of something bigger, a team that strives for excellence. It builds self-worth and shows them what they are capable of,” he said.

To date, the crowdfunding campaign has only managed to raise R500, nowhere near the R35 000 they hope to raise.

The next fundraiser will be a car show at Buren High School on Saturday, June 28.

If you would like to help the team, call Mr Ah-Sing at 084 050 2315