A singer at heart who brings light to others even though she has challenges of her own.
Nomfundo Makhathini, who loves to sing despite not being capable of normal speech, knows the words to every song on the Barney CD and would sing along merrily with Barney and his friends.
When she moved to Elvira Rota Village, word soon got out about her singing talents.
Music therapist Ms Karen de Kock then decided to try teaching Nomfundo more intricate and melodious classic songs like Ave Maria.
“It was simply amazing. After I discovered her ability, I started teaching her the second voice parts of songs such as The Prayer, Nada te Turbe and a Swahili song, Bwana Awabariki. It was astounding that her musical intelligence was so advanced within the context of her intellectual disability,” said Ms De Kock.
She said she was concerned that Nomfundo had no way of letting them know when she was not feeling well.
She however believes that Nomfundo uses her voice to self-soothe and even to cure headaches and nausea which are both side effects of Hydroencephalitis, the condition she suffers from.
In addition she said it is known that music has a way of transcending boundaries.
Some Alzheimers patients react as if a light goes on when they hear a familiar song from their childhood.
“Although there is no verbal communication and memory is severely impaired, these patients somehow recall the words to the songs, and often other associations triggered by the music,” she said.
Ms De Kock said she would like to think that Nomfundo has learnt that her voice can take away her discomfort.
That it brings her and those around her joy.
