Eoan Group, founded by Helen Southern-Holt, in 1933, was a social and educational centre as well as a cultural association which offered aftercare, physical education for the children and speech classes to the mixed race community of District Six, Cape Town. The Group soon added a wide range of activities from ballet, singing, painting, sewing and drama classes. Drama productions were soon presented and a ballet section was set up in 1935 followed by a choir led by brothers, John and Dan Ulster in 1940.

Helen Southern-Holt’s daughter, Maisy, was the driving force behind the ballet during those early years. Greek dancing, folk dancing, tap and modern dance classes were introduced and in later years, ballet classes were taught with the assistance of professional dancers in Cape Town. The late Dulcie Howes was in charge of the dance teacher training at the University of Cape Town, and a number of the University of Cape Town’s dance students under Dulcie Howes training, came to the Eoan Group and assisted in teaching the Eoan Group children as part of their practical teaching work. Many Eoan dancers went on to study at University of Cape Town and completed their Royal Academy of Dance exams in London.

Today, in the 21st century, the Eoan Group continues to offer classical ballet, modern dance, contemporary, music and voice training, drama, hip hop and belly dance to all surrounding communities.