A perfect start to the ABC Motsepe School Choral Eisteddfod
This occasion provides an opportunity for our learners to free their vocal cords.
The provincial ABC Motsepe School Choral Eisteddfod 2023 started with a bang at the Civic Centre on Thursday, June 1.
“The voice so sweet, the words so fair, as some soft chime had stroked the air; and though the sound had parted thence, still left an echo in the sense.” Ben Johnson.
These inspirational words found resonance in the hearts of all those who graced the first day of the event as they listened to the little melodious, sweet euphonious boys and girls’ voices singing harmoniously with joy.
The first day started with the primary special and farm schools and junior choirs (grades 2-4).
“Indeed, it was a soothing feeling to watch and marvel at the beautiful renditions as the learners harmoniously sang along with the leading pianist. Their ability to easily understand and follow the rhythm of the songs signified the importance of singing as it helps them hear the smaller sounds in words and build their vocabulary.
Singing also improves children’s ability to hear and recognise the beginning, middle and ending sounds that make up words, helping them sound out words when they begin to read thus improving their reading and comprehension skills,” reads a statement from the Mpumalanga Department of Education.
In his welcome address Mpumalanga MEC for Education, Mr Bonakele Majuba says that the occasion comes as the people of the Place of the Rising Sun usher in June and shortly after May, the month the African continent and African Diasporas have adopted as African month.
“The month of May has become synonymous with African pride in the diversity of culture which we see through the colourful clothes, delicious indigenous dishes and above all through low, medium and high tempos of music and the patting of feet as we perform different indigenous dance moves. Indeed we are a rich continent. It is the African culture and heritage of singing and dancing that gathers us on this beautiful occasion,” said the MEC.
He added to say that the occasion helps in bringing about harmony and unity of purposes in the schooling environment and is helping in actively reviving the positive value system as people strengthen their national identity as South Africans, both of which are anchored on a need for social transformation and cohesion.
Head of the department Mrs Lucy Moyane said: “It is another version of joy for us that once more we are competing in the prestigious ABC Motsepe South African Schools Choral Eisteddfod.
This occasion provides an opportunity for our learners to free their vocal cords, release their soothing voices and sing their beautiful songs for the world to pause and notice.
“We in the Place of the Rising Sun are not only about teaching and learning, but we are also about unearthing talents, instilling acceptable values and enriching our learners through curriculum enrichment activities such as this one. This programme allows our learners to learn while enjoying and to be developed while playing.
“It also allows all learners from different backgrounds to be exposed to a whole range of career paths that are available for them to pursue in the music industry. Not so long ago we witnessed our very own Pretty Yende singing at the coronation of the newly enthroned British monarch, King Charles III. Pretty is our daughter from Endlela Secondary School and we say without any fear of contradiction that she is a product of the National School Choral Eisteddfod.”
She added to say that it was for this reason that the department is working hand in hand with several stakeholders in building the future of the province and preserving the languages, which Ngugi Wa Thiongo said are the carriers of our culture and identity.
She also thanked the teachers who took a concept of a choral music festival to heart and turned it into a tangible project.
On day three of the competition in tenor Zacheus Malaza Secondary School was placed first, in bass/baritone Phillip Ndimande Secondary School was position one as well and in quintet Leonard Ntshuntshe Secondary School also was placed first.
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