Pantsula to kofifi dance, kalimba to marimba, established artists to newcomers and school-goers – the full spectrum of Grahamstown’s African musicality was represented at an open-air concert last Friday 23 August.
Pantsula to kofifi dance, kalimba to marimba, established artists to newcomers and school-goers – the full spectrum of Grahamstown’s African musicality was represented at an open-air concert last Friday 23 August.
Presented by the International Library of African Music (Ilam) on Rhodes University campus, these outreach concerts have become a regular highlight on the town’s arts calendar. The latest one featured vibrant, young township performers sharing the amphitheatre with Ilam staff.
Township acts included a performance by the Sakhuluntu Cultural Group, pantsula and kofifi dance acts by Access Music Project (AMP), and a performance by the Via Kasi Movers. All the young performers at Ilam represented six township schools. Their work was enthusiastically received by an audience of about 50 people who clapped and showed their appreciation throughout.
Ilam staff also took part in the show. Director Andrew Tracey shared a whimsical African story about a rabbit and a lion while playing the kalimba. Sebastian Jamieson and Elijah Madiba of the NIA Collective performed a few great Afro pop numbers.
“The concerts are always magical, people are always smiling,” said concert coordinator, Professor Diane Thram. Always hoping to make the concerts bigger, Thram asked members of the public to keep an eye out for the next open-air show in the upcoming months.
Encouraged by the great responses, many of the young performers say they are keen to pursue musical careers.
“I would like to carry on playing the marimba even when I am finished with school,” said AMP soprano marimba player, Zanele Kwetha, 14, “and I also like the trumpet.” AMP is a project that gives children from various secondary schools in the area weekly music lessons.
Sakhuluntu Cultural Group founder, Vuyo Booi, said he is motivated by the need to inspire township youth and keep them off the streets through the arts. “We teach children to have good behaviour and discipline, because these are the qualities that should be groomed in them while they are young.”
Sakhuluntu, which means ‘building humanity’, comprises of young people between the ages of seven and 25. It is based in Joza. Rhodes drama students assist Booi with choreography.
A hat was passed around at the end of the show, for contributions that went to the township artists.
