More than 60 Khayelitsha primary school pupils sounded some groovy jazz notes on Saturday when a music academy awarded them certificates for completing a ten-month training programme.
The Institute for Music and Indigenous Arts Development (Imad) taught the Eluxolweni Primary School pupils guitar, singing, drums, trombone and saxophone.
Founded in 2007, the non-profit organisation operates in disadvantaged areas in and around Cape Town, teaching children to play a variety of instruments and sing in choirs with a focus on the indigenous Cape jazz genre
Imad project manager and jazz singer Babalwa Mentjies said the pupils were taught after class and on Saturdays.
“Today is a celebration of what they went through, and the joy in their faces is a clear indication that they are loving each moment,” she said.
School principal Nandipha Majodina said the programme had been of great benefit.
“It keeps children very focused on their books because they know before your musical school, you must pay attention to classwork. All those involved are very disciplined and dedicated.”
The children had drawn inspiration from working with Mentjies and other jazz musos such as George Werner, Eric Salman and Mabusi Dlakavu, she said.
“It gives them a sense of rubbing shoulders with stars, and they are dreaming big.”
Imad choir conductor Gcinikhaya Mnyamana said it was a pleasure working with the Eluxolweni pupils.
“With each performance, you can see they are maturing, they fine-tune mistakes just like old pros, but we need to guard them from bad influences.”
Many youngsters have benefited from the Imad programme. The Imad Khayelitsha band played three times in a row to standing ovations at the Artscape Schools Arts Festival in August last year.
Luhlaza High School Grade 9 pupil Siphesihle Mani, 15, participated in the Imad programme when she attended Eluxolweni Primary School, and she played at the ceremony on Saturday. She vowed to follow in the footsteps of Gloria Bosman, Sibongile Khumalo and, of course, Babalwa Mentjies.
Another graduate of the programme Groote Schuur High School Grade 9 Emihle Salman, 15, said her father had inspired her to play music.