The Power of Choice

Magadien Wentzel is a celebrity in Manenberg Township today. Yet things were not always this way. His story is one of spiritual and psychological transformation. Born during apartheid and given away at birth, he became a gangster.

This past Saturday he came to the life skills course at the Ntonga Music School to educate the youth about making choices. Raised in District Six, a mixed race suburb outside Cape Town, as a youth, the gun was all he knew. Outraged by the white man and apartheid regime at age 20, he CHOSE the life of a gangster becoming a member of the 28's Gang. He became one of the most powerful and feared gang leaders in South Africa. In August 1999, a tornado on the Cape Flats destroyed his home but spared his son. This moment changed his mindset. He realized God was watching over him giving him a second chance in life. He chose to leave the 28's Gang and give up everything, including his wife who left him for another 28's Gang member.

His intention at Ntonga Music School on Saturday was to support and educate youth to make the right life choices.

He told the Ntonga Youth that everyone has the right to make their own choices. The stick you wielded yesterday will be a gun today and a prison cell tomorrow. "I chose prison, a 25 year sentence. The truth is, jail is a waste of time." Unfortunately many people dont know what they want, and make the wrong choices. He then asked certain students "who are you and what do you want?" These questions invited the students to think and reflect for themselves.


He believes the key to life is knowing oneself and having love and respect for the self. A person with self respect will gain love and respect from others. When speaking to youth he asks questions to encourage youth to take responsibility for their lives and define for themselves right from wrong. Following his release from prison in 2003, some wanted him dead. His commitment to projects like Fatherhood Project, has granted him respect within his community. Today he is committed to supporting youth in turning their lives around. Using his life as an example, he advises youth seeking guidance, to find an alternative to guns and drugs.

The Ntonga Music School hopes to collaborate with Magadien in equipping Ntonga Youth and the course facilitators with skills to expand and enhance teaching. Educating youth educates a community and empowers the next generation of South Africans.

More to come, stay tuned.

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www.playingforchange.org

New Ensembles and Parental Support at Ntonga

Working with and teaching youth at Ntonga Music School has been one of the most inspiring and rewarding life opportunities. Coming to work in a township after graduating from college has offered a completely new perspective on life. It has both redefined my way of looking at the world and my own goals and ambitions.

Last Monday, the Ntonga Music School Committee and teachers held their second meeting. It was valuable to have teachers share what they see working and where improvements are necessary at the school. Space and privacy for individual lessons remain an immediate challenge. While class organization and assessing student progress has yet to fall in place, Dave Robain, a hard working organized teacher, is spearheading a teachers meeting to address these issues directly. This way teachers are encouraged and trusting in resolving current challenges.

The formation of an ensemble two weeks back has given wings to students and new energy to the entire school. Organized by Dave, and Pokie, the ensemble meets Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons encouraging students to collaborate and find their sound in an ensemble. The youngest member, Mphumzi, age ten, plays percussion with energy! Luyanda, a fourteen year old trumpet student, has found his sound and surprises himself each rehearsal with his ability to improvise. This ensemble gives all involved new confidence and invites youth to admire and draw inspiration from their peers.

Last Saturday, October 16th, the ensemble participated in Africa Day in Stellenbosch. The Ntonga Music Ensemble performed on a stage in an amphitheater. The ensemble made Ntonga proud! Performing four songs, the audience of youth and adults were enthused and entertained by their energetic sound. Most importantly, the ensemble members had a blast and asked during the drive back to Guguletu, "when is our next performance?!"

Monday was a parents meeting. Five parents showed at 6pm. Each member of the Ntonga Music School Committee and the teachers who were present spoke to the parents. We told them this school seeks to give youth an alternative to the allures of the streets. The meeting served to clarify this school is a safe space where their children can come and learn an instrument of their choice and get the opportunity to study with great musicians. We also called on them to encourage their child's attendance and be involved in the school in a way that works for them. Each parent responded with appreciation, understanding and gratitude. We hope to have frequent meetings to connect with the parents. This will help make our school a sustainable community space producing a future of talented, confident individuals that can serve as role models for their community.

To return to PFCF main page or make a donation, click on the below link:
www.playingforchange.org

Knowledge is Power

Last Saturday members of the Ntonga Music School Committee shared what they considered to be necessary life skills. It was invaluable to hear the perspectives of a different generation of black men and women.

Derrick, an Ntonga Music School Committee member, emphasized the importance of role-models. He spoke about how the township lacks role models. The current generation of youth are sorely frustrated. Lacking reliable teachers and supportive parents and guardians, youth turn to gangs for acceptance and drugs to heal inner pain and frustration. While the situation is much more complex, the fundamental problem is youth dont take initiative and older generations remain in an apartheid mindset, disillusioned and hopeless.

The life skills course encourages youth to become agents of their own destiny through self reflection. Through awareness youth are invited to recognize they themselves are the change they have been waiting for.

David, another committee member, spoke about the issue of abuse and what it means to "cross the line." The life skills course is designed to raise awareness about the concept of abuse. As facilitators we do not seek to tell youth what to do. Rather, we aim to equip youth with the necessary knowledge to make educated choices.


Today, I was asked to facilitate the life-skills course in Sam's absence. The topic of the day, was the "Pursuit of Happiness." After spending considerable time gathering a group of fifteen, I encouraged the youth to define what happiness meant to them and share their methods of cultivating happiness in their own lives. I opened the session by asking, "who seeks happiness." Most hands quickly shot up. I then asked, "what do you do to attain happiness?" I was grateful to find several students name playing an instrument as one means to attain happiness. While the younger students remained quiet throughout the class, a few teenagers shared personal information opening to their peers about their weaknesses, life struggles and how they are dealing with these issues. One student admitted to seeing a counselor and being unsure of the means to maintain happiness. Another student expressed feelings of uncertainty in dealing with feelings that are too difficult to confide in a friend. This openness created a dialogue of understanding and greater trust. It is good to see students receptive to, and participating in, this course.

A guest speaker is scheduled for next Saturday, so stay tuned.
Ntonga Music School, Guguletu!

To return to PFCF main page or make a donation, click on the below link:
www.playingforchange.org