Male choirs take a pledge to fight GBV
Different stakeholders were invited to speak on different issues affecting the community including the NPA, SAPS and Department of Social Development.
Kwa-Thema – The East Rand Male Symphony hosted its sixth Annual Male Choral Extravaganza at the Kwa-Thema Community Hall on Sunday.
The symphony secretary general Kagiso Mogaswane said the purpose of the event was to promote male choirs while encouraging young boys to participate in school and church choirs and eventually in male choirs.
He said boys are often not given attention and that affects their social life. As a choir, they are trying to bring boy children closer.
“This was also to promote choral music in communities. Not everyone is gifted academically. However, some can use music to succeed,” he said.
He also added that they invited different stakeholders to speak on different issues affecting the community including the NPA, SAPS and Department of Social Development.
Symphony was the first choir to take to stage. They pledged with all the other men in the hall after completing their first song.
The pledge was ‘We men and boys in the choral music fraternity commit ourselves to be active participants and promoters of change and challenge the social norms and attitudes that cause and perpetuate violence’.
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The issues of patriarchy within the communities were also addressed.
“This is solely done because patriarchy can have a pervasive and harmful impact on women’s lives, affecting their personal, social, economic and political opportunities and choices.
“Addressing patriarchy requires challenging traditional gender roles and expectations, promoting gender equality, and advocating for women’s rights and empowerment,” said Mogaswane.
Choirs that participated were the Port Elizabeth Men’s Chorus from the Eastern Cape, Cenestra Male Choir, Artistic Chorale, Duduza Serenade and Kristo iNkosi Catholica Church Marimba Ensemble.
