In the name of a school charity fundraiser, local Grahamstown band, Survivals took their reggae rhythm on the road to the heart of the Karoo.
In the name of a school charity fundraiser, local Grahamstown band, Survivals took their reggae rhythm on the road to the heart of the Karoo.
Playing a gig at Alpha Primary School in De Aar, Northern Cape, on Saturday November 7, Survivals helped with the ongoing charity drive to raise money for school activities.
“We can only do our job, helping out as much as we can”, says Francois Mentoor, guitarist and one of the founding members of Survivals.
“Although it is tough, because most of the band is unemployed, we will never say no for any charity that asks us to play. It’s what we love to do, to play music and try to make a difference in people’s – especially children’s – lives.”
Active for over two decades, Survivals was formed in 1992 and has travelled from place to place, raising people up (as they say) as they lay down their jammin’ beats.
In 1998, the band was given the opportunity to go on tour to America, playing in 18 different towns throughout California before returning to South Africa for a more local tour.
“Music has given us so many opportunities,” says Barrend Mentoor, manager of Survivals.
“Through music, we got the opportunity to go to America. We try to teach children music so that they can be given opportunities like we had.”
The band’s practice room in Grahamstown East is an open space where anyone can come in and play their music.
“If you feel depressed, you can come in and jam it out,” says Francois.
“We also teach children about the discipline of music, to teach them to play so that they can stay off the streets and can use their free time better. Music really is a beautiful thing.”
After unfortunately losing their lead singer and two back-up singers to cancer over the last year, Survivals is back up and running with some new faces but still keeping to their reggae roots.
“They would have wanted us to carry on, so we are moving on,” says Francois.
Survivals is set to play gigs in Grahamstown and surrounding areas over the next two months.
