Kenyan acrobat Mathias Kavita (R) instructs a child in Thika on July 11/Xinhua
With over 1,000 youths having passed through his training, Kenyan acrobat Mathias Kavita beamed with pride when recalling his 41-year bond with China, one that has transcended time and geography to flourish.
Slightly before his 12th birthday in 1983, Kavita’s journey to China to study acrobatics under a government scholarship marked a turning point in his life, ushering him into a brave new world of cross-cultural interactions and enduring friendship.
For two years, Kavita and 23 other compatriots were domiciled at the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe, where they underwent rigorous training, culminating in mastery of the revered sport. Shortly after completing the programme, Kavita returned to his homeland, worked as an acrobatic coach for a private company, and later founded his own company in the mid-1990s to nurture the next generation of acrobats.
At a gated and leafy neighbourhood in central Kenya’s industrial town of Thika, the bubbly acrobatics coach was in his element when he assembled a group of children for a one-hour training session, featuring jumps and rope climbing.
“I have been in this field ever since I was taught acrobatics by the Chinese,” said Kavita, dressed in traditional Chinese soft-soled black shoes, commonly worn by the elderly in the Asian country. His two male assistants wore uniforms inscribed with “Hebei Wuqiao Acrobatic Art School.”
In July 2024, Kavita visited Wuqiao County, located in northern China’s Hebei Province, to participate in a two-month acrobatics training and exchange programme, funded by the Chinese government.
“When I set foot on this land after 41 years, I truly felt like I had returned home. For over forty years, I have cherished my memories of China,” said Kavita.
Kavita has preserved a “treasure trove” of mementoes from his connection with China, including a graduation certificate from the Guangzhou Acrobatic Troupe, a visa from his first trip to the Asian nation, and group photos taken during past training sessions.
In June, Kenya marked 40 years of acrobatic exchange and cultural cooperation with China at a gala event where Kavita chaperoned youngsters to showcase their prowess in the time-honoured sport.
Kenyan acrobat Mathias Kavita (R) and his proteges in Thika on July 11/Xinhua
Over the years, Kavita observed that the popularity of acrobatics in Kenya has grown tremendously, fueled by children and youth eager to deepen their understanding of Chinese culture.
“Acrobatics has evolved since I came back from China 40 years ago. What I learnt last year in China is what I want to implement in our acrobatics training here in Kenya,” said Kavita.
“With all these exchanges, it is giving us hope in our acrobatics that we might do it internationally.” Kavita’s mastery of acrobatics has not only provided him with a steady income as a coach but also inspired youth to embrace the sport.
Eric Musyoka, a Nairobi-based young talent, has become an accomplished acrobat, thanks to Kavita’s training and mentorship since 2017. He proudly demonstrated his expertise during a home-based training session for multiracial children in a gated neighbourhood.
Musyoka, one of Kavita’s assistants, also took part in the exchange program with Hebei Wuqiao Acrobatic Art School, where he immersed himself in Tai Chi and Chinese martial arts, while enjoying the scenic beauty of the countryside.
According to Kavita, an increasing number of Kenyan youth, schoolchildren, and their parents embraced acrobatics for physical and mental well-being.
One of Kavita’s trainees at the gated community outside Thika town is Tafari, a 10-year-old boy who said his health has improved tremendously since he started acrobatics lessons.
“I feel like gymnastics is a good sport because it keeps you fit and it helps you in life. Children should do it more, so that when they grow up, they will have more opportunities to be better in the sport,” Tafari said.
Madeline Herschdorfer, Tafari’s mother, said the boy started practising acrobatics three years ago, while her daughter Ngina, aged 12, ventured into the sport when the family was living in Britain.
“We came to Kenya and found that the way they train children is much better. This is the first sport that they started doing seriously every week,” said Hershchdorfer. “I think it is important that we connect with different cultures and take home some of the good points.”
