Celebrating a Fruitful Term!
Ntonga Music School has witnessed an incredibly fruitful term -employment of new teachers, formation of two ensembles and participation in several events including Africa Day in Stellenbosch, and air time on Bush Radio in Cape Town.
Reconciliation Day in Delft:
On Wednesday, December 15th, the two ensembles participated in a program in Delft, a twenty minute drive from Guguletu. Organized by the Institute of Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), this event aimed to commemorate the National Day of Reconciliation in South Africa. Nine youth groups from communities across the Cape Flats region were invited to meet in the racially diverse community of Delft. The goal of the event was to celebrate diversity and address reconciliation.
The event opened with a jazz band and dancers performing several traditional numbers. The performance was followed by introductions from members of the IJR educating the audience about the institute and its intention for the day -to unite diverse communities on the Cape Flats around the topic of reconciliation. Following introductions, each audience member took part in a workshop of their choice. Some Ntonga students participated in a poetry workshop, others painted pictures of what they understood reconciliation to look like.
I participated in a workshop looking at images from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This interactive workshop provided a brief history of the conflict unfolding in the DRC. The facilitator, Mariam, then asked the group their perception of the photos. What do the photos tell you about the regions conflict and means to reconcile? The workshop brought forward the elastic definition of reconciliation -spiritual, pragmatic and religious. With participants representing countries across Africa, the conversation was dynamic and rich. It became clear that reconciliation comes down to telling the truth. In South Africa, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee aimed to make transparent crimes committed against humanity. As one man pointed out, most African countries suffering from poor governance lack leaders willing to speak the truth. Without truth and transparency, reconciliation and nation building has limited hope. The conference closed with a couple musical numbers leaving the audience dancing and the room filled with joyous smiles.
Ntonga Music School Party:
Ntonga Music School held a party Friday, December 17th, to celebrate the end of the semester with food, certificates of completion and smiles! In 85F weather, approximately 40 students crowded into Ntonga Music School to feast, play music, receive certificates and rejoice in their accomplishments. To my delight, despite numerous delays in food and the heat, students waited excitedly to receive the first certificates given by the Ntonga Music School. Before presenting certificates, Pokie Klaas spoke to the students thanking them for their hard work. All teachers lined up to make the certificate distribution official. Pokie, with the assistance of all teachers, called out the names of each student. Each teacher got a turn to call students up, shake their hand, and present them with a certificate. Students young and old were beaming with delight as they waited patiently for their names to be called. When their name was called they walked with pride to the front, to receive the certificate acknowledging their hard work and dedication. The event was an important milestone. Pokie’s dream is becoming a reality.
Ntonga Music School will be on break until January 10th.
Ntonga wishes everyone a Happy Holiday Season. More to come in the New Year!
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