Lulama Nkone shares his gratitude for the music journey
Tembisa Serenade is an NPO that brings music to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Having brought up many children in the choir spirit of opera music in the township of Thembisa, Lulama Nkone hopes to see more participation of society in his musical programmes for children in the township.
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As the founder of the popularly known Thembisa Serenade Music Academy, Nkone states that the founding principle of the NPO was to unite people from disadvantaged backgrounds through music.
“All of the children whom I’ve taught music in the past have become great and independent people in society through the skill they have acquired at the Thembisa Serenade Music Academy. I’m talking the likes of Mkhanyiseli Mlambo who a singer in Switzerland, Chuma Sjeqa, Lwazi Hlati and many more,” said Nkone.
The founder, who said he founded the organisation in 1996, was inspired by the natural raw talent that young people had in the townships, and he wanted to use music as a way of escaping their everyday lives in the township with something that they had never seen before.
“You know many children in the township are subject to poverty and when I started the group, I wanted them to know that there is more to life than their current situation. I wanted the choir to be their safe space where they can take refuge whenever they have problems. That is why I ended up even having to ask for donations of clothes and food for them at times,” said Nkone.
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He says he is proud to have been a part of several competitions with his group who have been recognised on several occasions.
“One of our many highlights include being a part of the ATKV competitions, Giyani Lingua Francia competitions as well as the Tirianso School Choir competition. We have had the pleasure of singing for our former president Thabo Mbeki as well as Panyaza Lesufi,” said Nkone.
Through it all, Nkone says the success of his group would not be possible without his musical team and his lovely wife.
“My wife has been through a lot, she has supported me from day one and even today I’m sitting with 150 children who are part of my choir and she looks after all of us.
“Not all my students eventually become musicians but through this programme, we have managed to develop discipline in these children’s lives. We have developed them to have a presence in society and become fully-fledged human beings,” said Nkone.
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