WeeklySA_AdminSAFE HAVEN:Soweto children offered a solid foundation to better themselves
By Gugu Sibiya
With all the horrific incidents happening around, parents are beside themselves worrying about the best possible way to protect their children. Responding to parents’ anguished concerns, Thuthukani Music Conservatoire Orchestra stepped up to the plate. They’ve provided a safe musical haven for Soweto’s embattled youngsters.
“It might not be a short term solution but we are teaching our kids to read music and play instruments. It’s our passion and we’re imparting it with love and dedication to our kids. We’ve seen how it’s impacted our students positively” states Lindy Makhubalo, one of the teachers and founding member, proudly revealing how they’ve gone on to achieve great success.
“We start our kids at the age of six and offer them two hours’ tuition on Thursday and Saturdays. Adults attend on Sundays at our Mofolo Park Super bowl home. Music is great for enjoyment and healing, but it teaches them discipline” not to mention an exciting career adds sis Lindy as she’s affectionately called.
Part of the training includes collaborations with other orchestras, churh and school choirs. “The most important dates on our calendar, are four annual concerts.
“At Easter we host Passion of Christ, then June celebrations showcasing youth talent, September kicks off with the Heritage offering featuring music by African composers and Carols by Candle light at night on the first Sunday of December. Hugely popular, it attracts parents in droves to Mofolo Park Art Centre Hall” says a proud sis Lindy.
Bragging she adds “Our students are the best. Most are successful professional musicians in high profile orchestras, work overseas, are members of the Military Band and South African Navy Band. Most of all, they are teachers and orchestral performers themselves” revealing that Thuthukani is made up of their students and adults.
This year’s theme for Thuthukani Woman’s Month Concert held last Sunday, was gender-based violence. “We decided to honor Tshegofatso Pule with a 21 piece orchestra performance. Her gruesome murder not only highlighted the plight of women but the need for more education around this matter” Sis Lindy suggests hopefully.
She says Thuthukani first opened its doors over 30-years ago. “We were all members of Soweto Symphony Orchestra. When our leader relocated with our name, Thuthukani was born. Funding is a major hurdle. We host fundraising concerts but it’s not enough. We could do with donors digging deep into their pockets “she pleads.
“Empowering, developing and instilling confidence in our youngsters remains our main objective. We wish to keep going for many years to come” sis Lindy says longingly with her jovial voice.
