The Gugulethu air was filled with music as pupils from Intshinga Primary School celebrated two trophies brought home by the Cape Whalers Field Band, which participated in national championships in Johannesburg recently.
The band has pupils from Intshinga Primary, Firgrove Primary, Oklahama Primary, Macassar Primary and a few high schools.
Intshinga Primary School principal Ncumisa Sopangisa said they were excited and by marching through the streets they were showing the community “the children’s hard work and dedication”.
“Their participation in the band’s activities has given them hope and purpose in life, they enjoy coming to school more. They know that music can take them to places,” said Ms Sopangisa.
Cape Whalers Field Band project officer, Peter Wonci, hailed the pupils for their enthusiasm.
“This is a bunch of joyful children who are thrilled to be doing music and I can see some of them going far in the future,” said Mr Wonci.
He said the band won two trophies, one for overall best music and the other for creative excellence and came fourth overall in the competition. They went into the competition as defending champions.
In the end, it was the unstoppable Setlabotjha Field Band that claimed the title from Cape Whalers.
Ms Sopangisa said she hoped that the band’s achievement would motivate more children to take part in extra-mural activities.
“All children are now excited and we hope next year we will see more of them taking part in stuff like this. I am happy for my children because they spent a lot of time practising,” she said.
Love, hope and peace of Christmas celebrated in new book