The second Outreach Concert of the year hosted by the International Library of African Music (Ilam) saw ex-Ilam director Andrew Tracey and his Calypso Band, first year Ethnomusicology students, Access Music Project (AMP!) artists and the Kingsmen Marimba Band take to the floor.
The second Outreach Concert of the year hosted by the International Library of African Music (Ilam) saw ex-Ilam director Andrew Tracey and his Calypso Band, first year Ethnomusicology students, Access Music Project (AMP!) artists and the Kingsmen Marimba Band take to the floor.
But it was the Sakhuluntu Culture Group Dancers and their Sakhuluntu organiser, Vuyo Booi who made the largest impact on the crowd that day.
Addressing the crowd before the young Sakhuluntu dancers started their performance, the soft spoken, but deadly serious Booi said, “These kids are not born free. You must realise that they come from the disadvantaged community where there is crime and murder and many other terrible things we must experience on a daily basis that others don’t have to.
“But we have our talent and our act and we can create good things out of bad situations for others and for ourselves.”
Whilst the performers in Sakhuluntu were all relatively young, their performances were mature and professional, portraying visible passion and energy in every move, smiles on their faces while they danced to the beat of the djembe drum.
Speaking to Booi after the show, he further explained his passion for song and dance and how he believes it can be a tool for change.
“A lot of these kids don’t have much to keep them busy besides school and once school is finished for the day, they are out on the streets again where they will be subjected to all of the bad things in the community,” said Booi.
“Sakhuluntu doesn’t only keep them safe or out of trouble after school, but it gives them something to look forward to every day.
“A lot of them must walk for ages before they get to school, they walk in the rain with no shoes, but at least they know that after school they can dance and they can sing.”
Booi further stated that some of the performances carry their own messages for change and positivity so that the performers can learn as they practice and hopefully impart the same messages to their audiences.
With both AMP! and Sakhuluntu receiving gold medal certificates at the recent Eastern Cape Eisteddfod, the afternoon was also a recognition and celebration of the talent we have here in the Eastern Cape.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Ilam and director of Ilam, Diane Thram says that many more concerts are on the way, as well as one big 60th celebration concert.
You can also see some free African dance and music being performed at 11am every day at the Ilam amphitheatre during this year’s National Arts Festival.
Listen to an interview with Andrew Tracey and hear some clips from the concert on bit.ly/GrocILAM29May
